Syed Minhaz Ahmed, 32, of Third Avenue, Newham, has been sentenced to four years in prison, with two years to be served on licence, after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. The sentencing took place at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 4 August, where Ahmed was also disqualified from driving for six years and will be required to take an extended retest upon the completion of the disqualification period.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday, 24 July 2020, when Ahmed was driving at over twice the speed limit on Romford Road in Newham, moments before his car struck and fatally injured cyclist Jay Kristiansen, who was 31 years old at the time. Mr Kristiansen was thrown from his bicycle, and despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics, he succumbed to his injuries in the Royal London Hospital the following day.
Rather than stopping at the scene, Ahmed fled, abandoning his car, and turned himself into the police 33 hours later.
Acting Detective Sergeant Liz Carrey emphasised the severity of Ahmed’s reckless actions, which led to the death of a young man and devastated his family and friends. CCTV evidence revealed that Ahmed had been driving at a speed of over 65mph in a 30mph zone. After the collision, he callously left Mr Kristiansen with catastrophic injuries, relying on other members of the public to seek help.
The trial in March 2023 at Snaresbrook Crown Court lasted five days, during which the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, resulting in Ahmed’s conviction.
In response to the sentencing, a spokesperson for Jay’s family expressed their grief and loss, describing Jay as a funny and caring young man with a great love for animals. They shared that he had many hopes and dreams, including starting a family of his own, which they would never see come to fruition. The family expressed their gratitude for finally obtaining justice for Jay, acknowledging that life will never be the same without him.
