Motorist jailed for Walsall hit-and-run

A HIT-AND-RUN driver who mowed down and killed a popular Walsall newsagent as he delivered papers has been jailed for five years.

Judge Michael Challinor, sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, told Zahid Hussain that while the family of father-of-six Mushraf Surti were grieving, he was scheming to try and avoid detection.

He told 54-year-old Hussain "You were responsible for this tragedy by driving as you did in the gloom in appalling weather conditions; heavy rain, wind and water on the road surface."

The judge said Hussain, who is also a newsagent, had "created a substantial risk of danger" by his driving and, instead of stopping and trying to help Mr Surti, he had fled the scene.

He added: "You then did all you could to avoid detection and prosecution.

"You made efforts to have your car repaired to eradicate all signs of a collision."

Hussain was driving his Mercedes on March 10, 2008, along the Broadway in Walsall at speeds of up to 49mph in the 30mph limit when he ploughed into Mr Surti as he was crossing the road.

A witness saw Hussain stop briefly, but then get back into his car, leaving 51-year-old Mr Surti lying in the gutter 170ft (52 metres) away from where he was struck, said Mark Rees, prosecuting.

He told the court, on Thursday, January 28, that a police surveillance camera captured the side image of a Mercedes with damage, and investigating officers decided to check on all 200 Mercedes cars registered in the WS postcode area.

It was by chance that Hussain's vehicle was near the top of the list and it was discovered his car had been taken to a garage for damage repair. Hussain at first said vandals were responsible, but he later admitted he had panicked after hitting Mr Surti and he drove away.

Hussain of Broadway, Caldmore, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice and failing to stop after and report an accident.

The judge further banned him from driving for seven years and said: "No sentence or words will relieve the grievous loss felt by Mr Surti's family about his death."

Mr Joseph Lewis, defending, said Hussain, a man of previous good character, was full of remorse.

He said that in a letter to the court, Hussain accepted his actions had been unforgivable and his behaviour had been "disgraceful and cowardly" for leaving Mr Surti lying in the road.