Trainee doctor who killed a cyclist while speeding at 59mph in 30mph zone is jailed - despite sister of victim's call for leniency

A trainee doctor who killed a cyclist while driving at nearly double a 30mph limit has been jailed for four and a half years, even though the sister of his victim pleaded for him to be shown leniency. 

Yasin Khan, now 23, was studying medicine at the University of East Anglia when he ploughed into father-of-two Ben Steward, 38, on a dual carriageway section of the A140 outer ring road in Norwich, Norfolk. 

Norwich Crown Court heard how Khan was speeding at up to 59mph in his VW Golf through a junction with traffic lights showing green in his favour when the accident happened in darkness at 6.44pm on February 27, 2023. 

The court was told how Mr Steward, who showed signs of being 'intoxicated' and was wearing dark clothing, had been riding his unlit bike across the junction when he was hit after ignoring a red light. 

Khan, of Newcastle, who gave up his medical studies and became a barber after the accident, admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing. 

Mr Steward's sister, Charly Steward, described her brother in a victim impact statement read to the court as 'the kindest, sweetest man who would help anyone'. 

She choked back tears as she said how his death was 'devastating' for the family.

Ms Steward said: 'Our hearts broke the moment that Ben died…There is a space that will never be filled.'

Yasin Khan, now 23, pictured outside court ahead of his sentencing on Friday 

Father-of-two Ben Steward, 38, died after being hit by Khan on a dual carriageway section of the A140 outer ring road in Norwich, Norfolk, on February 27, 2023

Steward's sisters Zoe Byrne (left) and Charly Steward (right) pleaded the court to show mercy to Khan, saying their brother 'would not want more pain and suffering due to this mistake'

In an impassioned call for Khan to be spared prison, she added: 'I hold no hate and no resentment to the man responsible for his death. I don't want him to blame himself. 

'I know Ben and knowing his heart, he would not want more pain and suffering due to this mistake. For this reason, I ask for the court to show mercy. I plead that this man be released.

'Prison is not going to bring Ben back. It will only take another son, another brother, away from his family.

'It is a pain we will carry for the rest of our lives. We don't need to add to it by having more pain in this world.'

But Judge Katharine Moore said: 'In my judgement, the sentence is so serious that only immediate custody is justified.' 

Jailing him for four and a half years, she also disqualified him from driving for seven years and ordered him to take an extended re-test. 

Judge Moore said his high speed and the vulnerability of Mr Steward as a cyclist were aggravating factors, but she took into account Khan's remorse and guilty plea. 

She added that his sister Charly's moving statement was 'a testament to Ben and his values'. 

Judge Moore told Khan: 'She says she feels no hate or resentment towards you, nor does she want you to carry guilt for the rest of your life. Ben, had he lived to have a choice, would choose kindness and she says she does as well.' 

But she added: 'The terrible consequences of your ill judgement will mark his family forever.'

Prosecutor Francesca Hallett said that another driver, Rebecca Simpson, had spotted Mr Steward crossing the junction and not appearing to notice oncoming cars.

She slowed down to a halt to avoid hitting him, beeped her horn and flashed her lights at him. 

Ms Simpson then became aware of a blue Ford Focus snaking along the road towards her at between 60mph and 65mph, going so fast that it 'made [her] car wobble'. 

She said it was closely followed two or three seconds behind by a white VW Golf who was travelling only slightly slower. Ms Simpson said she then heard a 'whack' as it hit the cyclist. 

Another motorist, Joseph Hadfield, also described being overtaken by the Ford Focus which was travelling 'like a bat out of hell' and shook his car as it sped past at up to 65mph. 

Mr Hadfield told how the Ford Focus 'narrowly missed the cyclist' before the VW Golf passed him and 'tried to complete the same manoeuvre as the blue car'. He added: 'I don't think the VW driver saw the cyclist.'

Ms Hallett said it was not known if Mr Steward was racing the other car, but it was likely that he was 'mirroring' the driving of the motorist he was following. The court heard that the Ford Focus driver was never traced.

She added that Mr Steward was thrown 12ft by the impact. Members of the public gave him first aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem revealed he had died of multiple injuries and had traces of cocaine and heroin in his system which may have impaired his cognitive function, said Ms Hallett.

Despite the mercy pleas from the victim's family, Khan (pictured) was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment 

Ben Steward's family described him as 'the kindest, sweetest man who would help anyone'

Khan stopped his car and called 999. He was breath-tested and drug swiped, but both tests were negative and evidence showed he had not been using a mobile phone at the time.

He answered no comment to questions in a police interview and was not charged until April this year. Tests later showed he had been driving at between 55mph and 59mph at the time of the collision.

But Ms Hallett said he had made a 'deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road with a disregard for the danger of others'. 

She added: 'He was going at such a speed that he would not have had time to adjust his speed to avoid Mr Steward… Had he been at the speed limit, perhaps he would have been able to take evasive action.'

Andrew Oliver, defending, said he did not intend to 'underestimate or downplay' the 'devastating effect of Mr Steward's death on his family'.

The lawyer said he accepted that Khan's driving had 'mirrored' the Ford Focus, but claimed it was 'different to it being racing or competitive driving'. 

Mr Oliver said that Khan was estimated to have passed a bus at 44mph shortly before the collision, meaning he had not driven at a higher speed 'for a prolonged period'.

He added: 'This was a brief piece of dangerous driving. I would submit that his speed was clearly high, but in the context that he had a green light in his favour and he sadly did not see Mr Steward.' 

Mr Oliver described Khan as 'kind, thoughtful and compassionate' and said he felt 'profound remorse'. 

He added that prison would devastate him and his family. He added: 'Sentencing at this court is not about vengeance. It's about punishment, but it's also about rehabilitation.' 

Khan was permitted by the court to read a personal statement, expressing remorse and saying he was 'deeply sorry' and fully accepted his responsibility for the 'immense pain' he had caused.

At one point, he broke down in tears while reading his statement in the witness box, leading to the judge pouring him a glass of water to help him continue.

Mr Steward's other sister, Zoe Byrne, said in a statement read to the court by the prosecution that her brother had the 'sweetest, kind, caring nature and put others before himself'. 

She also said that his death had also indirectly led to the death of their mother Hayley Steward around a year ago. 

Ms Byrne said: 'Losing Ben broke mother's heart and she struggled with his loss every day. Her lasting grief consumed her and took her as well. 

'We have been left trying to cope with two devastating losses and our family will never be the same. 

'I miss my brother every day. He was a wonderful guy who was loved beyond measure. Nothing can bring Ben back and nothing can end the pain that I feel.' 

A statement written by Mr Steward's mother before her death was also read to the court. 

She described his death as being 'sudden', 'very hard to deal with' and impacting on her mental health. 

His mother had written: 'I miss him terribly and I always will… I feel angry that he has gone. I can't begin to see closure. 

'There is no end to the police investigation. I could not have asked for a better son.' 

Charly Steward said after the hearing: 'I choose forgiveness because Ben would have chosen forgiveness. I can't carry hate on behalf of a man who was filled with so much love. 

'Tearing another family apart is not going to put my family back together. The pain has to stop somewhere.' 

Serious Collision Investigation Unit Supervisor, Detective Sergeant Mark Bassett of Norfolk Police, said: 'This collision was entirely avoidable and resulted in the tragic loss of a young man's life. 

'This is sadly another case that should serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from driving in an irresponsible and selfish manner. 

'Mr Khan made the conscious decision to drive at almost double the speed limit on a busy urban road, with catastrophic consequences.

'Our thoughts remain with the victim's family and friends, who have not only had to cope with the devastating loss of a loved one, but have also endured a lengthy wait for the conclusion of the criminal justice process.'