Speeding law student, 19, is jailed for three years

Speeding law student, 19, is jailed for three years for killing father-of-two pedestrian while trying to pull a prank on the BMW driving behind his Fiesta

Callum Richardson, 19, killed Salem  Lufti after striking him with his Ford Fiesta in Northampton on August 17, 2019

A speeding law student who mowed down and killed a father-of-two in a tragic prank gone wrong has been jailed.

Callum Richardson, 19, had sprayed a BMW with windscreen washer fluid and was looking in his rearview mirror to watch the driver’s reaction when he hit Salem Lufti.

He had suddenly accelerated to 48mph in a 30mph zone when he ploughed his Ford Fiesta straight into Mr Lufti who was crossing the road.

The 47-year-old dad-of-two suffered multiple injuries and died hours after the crash on August 17 last year.

Richardson admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for three years at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday.

Sentencing, Judge Rupert Mayo said: ‘I make it absolutely plain that no penalty that I pass can possibly be used to calculate the worth of the life Salem.

‘His life was beyond measure.

‘Your speed ought to have been 15 or 20 miles per hour but your speed was grossly in excess of that.

‘Your driving created a substantial risk of danger.’

The court heard Richardson, of Moulton, Northamptonshire was driving on Wellingborough Road in Northampton when he hit Mr Lufti. 

Richardson wrongly thought the BMW driver was a friend of his so as a joke he overtook the car and sprayed it with his windscreen washer before slowing down.

He then floored the accelerator pedal but hit Mr Lufti who was crossing the road.

A witness statement from a pedestrian which was read out in court said: ‘I watched as the car flashed past at a remarkable speed.

‘I didn’t see the collision.

Richardson was driving this Ford Fiesta when he hit the father of two. He had just overtaken a BMW he believed was being driven by a friend moments before the collision

Richardson was driving this Ford Fiesta when he hit the father of two. He had just overtaken a BMW he believed was being driven by a friend moments before the collision 

Northampton Crown Court heard Richardson had sprayed the following BMW with windscreen washer fluid and was looking in the rearview mirror when he struck Mr Lufti

Northampton Crown Court heard Richardson had sprayed the following BMW with windscreen washer fluid and was looking in the rearview mirror when he struck Mr Lufti

‘I heard a loud bang from just down the road and turned my head to see an object flying in the air. It was so loud I thought it had hit a car.

‘Then I heard screams from other passersby… I ran to him and asked someone to call 999.

‘I stroked his hair and waited for the ambulance to arrive.’

Mr Lufti was knocked unconscious and was rushed to Northampton General, but died later that night.

In a victim impact statement, his devastated wife said: ‘Having to deal with the difficulties and shock of having Salem taken from us is beyond words.

‘On that night, not only did I lose my husband and the father of our two young children but also my best friend.

‘Watching our son try to call his father on his phone and send him text messages asking him to come back has been heartbreaking.

‘We talk about his often to try and keep his memory alive. I tell them both every day that their father loves them so much.’

The court heard Richardson – who was studying law at the time – was ‘deeply remorseful for taking the life of another’.

When he was initially arrested he claimed Mr Lufti had ‘suddenly walked in front of my car and there was nothing I could have done to avoid him’ before changing his plea.