Leicester taxi driver jailed after tragic death of drunk woman lying in road

A taxi driver has been sentenced to two months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to causing the death of a 37-year-old woman by careless driving.

Anis Mohamed, 64, had been driving his taxi in the area of Coleman Road, Leicester, just after 4am on Saturday 11 January last year, when he was involved in the collision with pedestrian Natasha Baker.

Miss Baker was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham with serious injuries following the incident where she sadly died.

Enquiries carried out following the incident showed that Mohamed was behind another car in Coleman Road which had stopped due to Miss Baker standing in the road.

Miss Baker, who had been out drinking that evening, had then laid down in the road.

Due to this, the car which was in front of Mohamed reversed and turned around to continue its journey, avoiding Miss Baker. Mohamed however failed to see Miss Baker in time and continued to drive forwards, running over her.

Mohamed previously pleaded guilty to causing Miss Baker’s death by careless driving. Today, at Leicester Crown Court, he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for one year.

Following the sentencing, the family of Miss Baker paid tribute to her describing her as “a massive influence” in their lives.

Miss Baker’s sister Gemma said: “The day I heard about what had happened to Tasha changed my world. I still have nightmares now about seeing her in that way and I can’t get that image out of my head.

“Tasha was a massive influence in my life. She was meant to be the birthing partner for my son and it broke my heart her not being there. Instead of being happy at the birth of my son, all I could do was cry.

“I also have a disabled son and Tasha would be so proud to see him walking with his new walking frame and it’s another milestone that we have missed without her.

“Life without her is never going to be the same again, we have never been apart.

There is an emptiness in my heart that can never be filled again.”

Miss Baker’s father James added: “The loss of Natasha has devastated our family. We have never gotten over her loss and I’m not sure that we ever will. She was a constant presence in our lives and we did everything together.

“I can’t accept that she has actually gone, I keep thinking and actually believe that I am going to see her again. I am heartbroken and we will miss her so much.”

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Kasie Carter said: “This was a tragic situation but if Mohamed had been more cautious in his driving, this could have allowed him more time to potentially identify Miss Baker lying in the road and take the necessary action.

“Unfortunately though a life was lost and a family have been left devastated. My thoughts today do remain with the family of Miss Baker as they continue to come to terms with what has happened and with their tragic loss.”