Luton man jailed 4 years for killing pensioner in hit and run on pavement near L&D Hospital

Hassan Javaid, 23, of Hayhurst Road, appeared at Luton Crown Court today where he was sentenced over the collision which killed 74-year-old Gurdial Dhalliwal.

Just before 2.30pm on Monday, October 29, 2018, Javaid was driving his BMW M5 along the westbound carriageway of the A505 Dunstable Road.

When he reached the junction with Derby Road, he lost control of the high-performance vehicle and mounted the pavement.

Mr Dhalliwal was struck by the vehicle and died in hospital from his injuries a short while later.

Javaid fled the scene immediately, leaving passers-by to tend to Mr Dhalliwal.

An accomplice, 31-year-old Anied Saghir, later called police to report the vehicle stolen. An investigation was launched to identify the driver and establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Saghir, of Lansdowne Road, was arrested shortly afterwards and Javaid handed himself in to police later that evening.

Forensic evidence confirmed that Javaid was the driver at the time of the collision, and a conspiracy to mislead police was uncovered.

Javaid pleaded guilty to causing Mr Dhalliwal’s death by dangerous driving, while Saghir pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, having lied to the police regarding the theft.

In court, Javaid was jailed for four years, and Saghir for 10 months.

Javid was also banned from driving for seven years, and will need to take an extended retest on his release.

Sergeant Mark Dollard, lead investigator, said: “Mr Dhalliwal’s death was truly needless, caused by Javaid’s dangerous and senseless driving, and our thoughts are with his family today.

“Javaid and Saghir’s actions that day were compounded by the driver fleeing the scene, and a series of lies to attempt to avoid justice.

“I hope these convictions serve as a reminder to people to drive responsibly and carefully, but also as a warning to those who think they can evade the police; we will do all we can to ensure you face the consequences of your actions.”

In a tribute to Mr Dhalliwal shortly after his death, his family said: "Our Dad was a 74-year-old father, grandfather and a loving husband.

"We are all devastated and totally heartbroken as a family. Our world has fallen apart, and has been changed forever.

"A light has gone out for us and for the community, he was our rock.”