A trainee doctor has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after killing a cyclist while driving at nearly double the speed limit. Yasin Khan, 23, admitted causing death by dangerous driving after he struck and killed father-of-two Ben Steward, 38, on February 27, 2023.
The incident occurred on a dual carriageway section of the A140 outer ring road in Norwich, Norfolk, at approximately 6:44 p.m. Norwich Crown Court heard that Khan was driving his VW Golf at speeds up to 59 mph in a 30 mph zone through a junction with a green traffic light. Mr. Steward, who was riding an unlit bicycle and showed signs of intoxication, was crossing the junction against a red light when he was hit.
Khan, who has since stopped his medical studies and become a barber, expressed remorse for his actions and accepted responsibility for the "immense pain" he caused, breaking down in tears while reading a personal statement to the court. His defense attorney stated that Khan felt profound remorse and that prison would devastate him and his family, arguing for rehabilitation over vengeance.
Despite the mercy pleas from Mr. Steward's family, who stated that Ben would not have wanted further suffering and that they held no hate towards Khan, Judge Katharine Moore determined that the seriousness of the offense warranted immediate custody. She cited Khan's high speed and the vulnerability of the cyclist as aggravating factors, while also acknowledging Khan's remorse and guilty plea.
"In my judgement, the sentence is so serious that only immediate custody is justified," Judge Moore stated. Khan was disqualified from driving for seven years and ordered to take an extended re-test.
Witnesses described another vehicle, a blue Ford Focus, traveling at speeds between 60 and 65 mph, which narrowly missed the cyclist before Khan's VW Golf, traveling only slightly slower, struck Mr. Steward. The driver of the Ford Focus was not traced. Mr. Steward was thrown approximately 12 feet by the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts to provide first aid.
Post-mortem examination revealed that Mr. Steward died of multiple injuries and had traces of cocaine and heroin in his system, which may have affected his cognitive function. Khan's tests for alcohol and drugs at the time of the collision were negative, and evidence indicated he was not using a mobile phone.
Mr. Steward's sister, Charly Steward, read a victim impact statement describing her brother as "the kindest, sweetest man who would help anyone" and that his death was devastating for the family. She pleaded for leniency for Khan, stating, "I hold no hate and no resentment to the man responsible for his death... Prison is not going to bring Ben back. It will only take another son, another brother, away from his family."
Another sister, Zoe Byrne, stated that her brother had a "sweetest, kind, caring nature and put others before himself." She also revealed that Mr. Steward's death had indirectly led to the death of their mother about a year later, whose heart was broken by his loss. "We have been left trying to cope with two devastating losses and our family will never be the same," Byrne said.
Detective Sergeant Mark Bassett of Norfolk Police commented that the collision was "entirely avoidable" and a "stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from driving in an irresponsible and selfish manner." He added, "Mr. Khan made the conscious decision to drive at almost double the speed limit on a busy urban road, with catastrophic consequences."