A man has admitted killing a King’s College London student after hitting her with the van he was driving near the university’s central London campus.
Christopher Jackson, 27, appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey on Monday to plead guilty to causing Aalia Mahomed‘s death by dangerous driving on 18 March last year.
The van he was driving hit a metal gate, knocking it off its hinges, before colliding with the bench where the 20-year-old, who was in her second year of a physics and philosophy degree, was sitting, the court previously heard.
Jackson also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after two other KCL students, Irem Yoldas and Yamin Belmessous – both in their 20s – were hurt after being hit by the gate and taken to hospital.
Police said Jackson had been picking up two electric vehicles from Bush House, in Aldwych, before driving at speed and hitting the gates, at the campus near The Strand.
The van mounted a flower bed, becoming briefly airborne, before Ms Mahomed, who was sitting on a bench, and then came to a stop close to the wall of St Mary-Le-Strand church.
Wearing a black shirt, Jackson stood in the dock with his head bowed as he entered his pleas, then sat looking at the floor for the rest of the short hearing.
‘We put our faith in one of the best children’s hospitals’ – families criticise hospital failings
Paedophile nursery worker Vincent Chan admits 30 new charges
London bus driver sacked after chasing and punching man who stole passenger’s necklace
Jackson, who is from Southampton, was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on 6 March ahead of the anniversary of the incident.
Judge Philip Katz KC said: “It is inevitably going to be a substantial custodial sentence.”
Jessica Clarke, defending, told the court Jackson has three young children with his fiance and has been trying to “earn as much money” as he can for his family before the sentencing.
Read more from Sky News:
‘Suffolk strangler’ Steve Wright pleads guilty to 1999 teen murder
Boy, 16, dies after being stabbed in Chippenham
“Unlike many cases of death by dangerous driving which involve excessive speed, alcohol and drugs, this involves none of that. It was a tragic accident,” she said.
In a previous statement, Ms Mahomed’s family described her as “a bright, kind and beautiful soul, who brought joy and laughter to everyone”.
“She was a ray of sunshine in our lives, and will be deeply missed by all her family and friends,” they said.
“Her light will always live on in our memories and her smile will be our strength as we get through this difficult time.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Speaking outside court after the hearing, the Mahomeds’ lawyer Trevor Sterling, a senior partner at Moore Barlow, told Sky News it was a day of “mixed emotions”.
“They have been on a horrendous journey but today enables them at least to find at least some closure because of the guilty plea,” he said.
“They wish this had never happened. It was one of the worst if not the worst days of their lives.
“They have no feeling towards him (Jackson), they just hope there’s a level of accountability.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
He said the family now wanted to focus on Ms Mahomed’s legacy and had set up a charity in her name to help poorer children in Malawi.
“It would’ve made Aalia very, very proud and for the family that’s the most important they will be able to get out of this process,” he added.
Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith said: “Our thoughts remain with Aalia’s friends and family at this time.
“We can only imagine the pain they are suffering and we know nothing can undo what’s happened. We hope today’s guilty plea brings them a small measure of comfort.
“I want to thank our officers for their dedication and professionalism in helping to achieve justice. We would also like to thank the members of the public who came to Aalia’s aid, and to all of those who assisted us with our investigation.”
