A private hire driver from Stoke-on-Trent has been handed a suspended prison sentence after a collision at a busy junction left a cyclist permanently paralysed.
The collision
According to Yahoo News UK, Khalid Mohammad, 66 — formerly known as Haroon Malik — was driving his Toyota Prius in Burslem on 16 September 2023 when he attempted to turn at a junction while his traffic light was red. His vehicle struck a cyclist, causing catastrophic, life-changing injuries which have left the victim paralysed from the waist down.
At the sentencing hearing, the court heard that Mohammad’s “moment of carelessness” had devastating consequences. He received a 19-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, alongside a 12-month driving ban and an order to pay £500 in court costs.
Road safety and licensing implications
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the duty of care expected from professional taxi and private hire drivers. Turning through a red light is a serious offence, but when operating a licensed vehicle, the legal and ethical responsibility to protect vulnerable road users is even greater.
Local authorities and insurers are likely to assess such cases as aggravating factors during licence renewals or claims assessments. Industry experts suggest that increased awareness training — particularly on junction safety and cyclist visibility — could help prevent similar tragedies in future.
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DM News Commentary
This tragic case reinforces the importance of vigilance at junctions — especially for professional drivers. Even a single lapse in attention can result in irreversible harm and lasting reputational damage to the private hire trade. Councils and operators should ensure all drivers receive ongoing training about red-light compliance and the risks faced by cyclists in urban areas.
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