Maurice Middleton, a dedicated grandad enjoying a rare day off, was fatally injured after being struck by a speeding Audi driver while walking along the pavement.
The 65-year-old was propelled into a shop front on Great Hampton Street in Hockley as a result of the collision. Known as the ‘rock and king’ of his family, Mr Middleton had been on his way to buy a newspaper and cigarettes for his wife, who was preparing dinner at home.
Tragically, he sustained severe injuries from which he later died.
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The driver responsible, 27-year-old Shanise Hussain of West Drive, Handsworth, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced to four and a half years in prison on Thursday, 3 September, after a trial earlier this year.
In a heartfelt statement, Mr Middleton’s daughter, Rose, expressed her devastation: “He was taken from us in the most violent, sudden way, being hit on the pavement. He was a wonderful dad and the best grandad to my boys, who were very close to him. His loss has left an emptiness in our home. He was a brilliant, kind, and generous man.”
Rose detailed her father’s industrious nature, saying, “He was a fabricator and welder for 32 years, often working six to seven days a week to provide everything we needed. On that day, he was going out to get a paper and cigarettes for Mum while she was preparing Sunday dinner. Then, police officers came to inform us of the tragedy.”
She added, “We need someone to take responsibility. His death was entirely unnecessary. He was simply walking on the pavement. He was our rock and our king. Dad was the centre of our family, the glue that held us together. His loss has left a huge hole in our hearts that no one can fill. We will grieve him for the rest of our lives. Dad taught us so much but never how to live without him.”
Hussain had no previous criminal convictions but did have four points on her driving licence for speeding on a motorway a few weeks before the fatal incident.
At approximately 2.45pm on 21 July 2024, Hussain was driving her Audi as she joined Hockley Hill via a slip road. At this point, the road changes from a flyover with a 40mph speed limit to a 30mph zone.
As she proceeded, a Jaguar in the nearside lane suddenly indicated and moved into her lane. Travelling at around 48mph, Hussain swerved onto the wrong side of the road to avoid the Jaguar, lost control after striking a kerb by the central reservation, and mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
Her vehicle then mounted the pavement and struck Mr Middleton. The Audi continued beyond a bus shelter and hit another pedestrian, who fortunately was not seriously injured.
The Jaguar driver involved was previously convicted of careless driving related to this incident.
Judge Dean Kershaw told Hussain, “You didn’t see the indication because of your speed. Had you been travelling at or below the speed limit, you would have seen it and reacted accordingly, potentially avoiding this tragic event. Pressing the accelerator instead of the brake contributed to your loss of control, which ultimately caused Mr Middleton’s death.”
Defence barrister Imran Shafi KC told the court that Hussain was genuinely remorseful. He said, “This will be a lifelong impact for her. She acted recklessly in a moment of stupidity, taking the life of a well-loved man. She will carry this burden forever.”
Mr Shafi also noted Hussain’s background in a caring profession, commenting, “It is a cruel irony that someone who took such satisfaction from caring for others ultimately caused this devastating loss of life.”