Student spared jail for killing lecturer after he ran red light

A STUDENT who killed a university lecturer after running a red light while speeding has avoided jail.

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

Sabir Sharif, 22, had been driving at 50mph in a 20mph zone before hitting 36-year-old Laura Ford, a law lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. She had been attending her department's Law Ball function when she was hit on Higher Cambridge Street in Hulme.

Manchester Crown Court heard that prior to the horror crash, Sharif had driven through a red light at 50mph as Ms Ford planned to cross the road ahead. As she crossed, Sharif braked and reduced his speed to 35mph, but it was not enough to avoid crashing into her.

"Had you been driving appropriate at an speed, had you not decided to run that red light, she would have had ample time to make her crossing," Judge Sarah Johnston told him.

Sharif previously stood trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving, and was acquitted by a jury. He had already admitted causing death by careless driving, and has now been handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence.