Sunderland drink-driver who killed cyclist after night at the pub gets jailed

Vicky Hardy, 44, drank "five pints and a measure of spirit" at the The Jolly Potter before she started to drive to her home in Sunderland, in the early hours of the morning in July 2022.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that during the short journey, beloved family man Ali Reza Ghaisar was riding along Hylton Road on his pedal cycle when he was struck by Hardy at 38mph.

Mr Ghaisar, 48, suffered catastrophic injuries and could not be saved.

The court heard Hardy did not stop at the scene but did return shortly afterwards, before then fleeing again.

Judge Penny Moreland today sentenced her to six years behind bars.

The judge said: "(Mr Ghaisar) was 48 when he died. He was a beloved son, brother and uncle.

"His family describe him as generous, kind and harmless.

"They have suffered a grievous loss in the loss of that beloved family member.

"No sentence can bring their family member back."

The judge told Hardy: "CCTV shows you had at least five pints and a measure of spirit to drink.

"It's been impossible to calculate your alcohol level at the time of the incident because you claimed to have drank alcohol the following morning."

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court: "The defendant had spent the hours before the offence drinking with her partner in the public house the Jolly Potter just over a mile from the location of the incident.

"CCTV footage from the pub shows defendant arrive just after 7pm in the evening parking in the pub car park.

"Her home address at the time was about one-and-a-half miles from the premises. She remained there to about 1:15, during which time cameras showed her consuming about five pints and a measure of spirits.

"By the time the defendant left with her partner she appeared to be unsteady on her feet."

The court heard CCTV footage captured from a nearby hostel showed Hardy mounting the pavement as she tried to exit the car park.

Mr Wardlaw said she continued towards the city's Hylton Road where Mr Ghaisar was fully lit up riding his bike.

The court heard Hardy struck the pedal cycle which threw the victim across onto the other side of the carriageway.

Members of the public and attempted to perform CPR until medics arrived but despite all efforts he died at the scene.

Mr Wardlaw said: "A later analysis resulted in the calculation that the defendant was travelling at a speed of about 38mph on a road which is a 30mph limit.

"The defendant did not stop, only appearing to break. The vehicle was seen to continue to travel east towards Hylton Road."

Hardy did then turn around and was caught on camera returning to the scene before making off and returning home, which was heard by neighbours.

Mr Wardlaw added: "The defendant called her mother to say she thought she had killed someone. Family members gathered at her address and attempts were made to get her to call police."

Officers were eventually contacted the following day and Hardy, of Helmsdale Road, Ford Estate, Sunderland, was arrested.

She later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

In a victim statement, Mr Ghaisar's sister-in-law told the court her family were on holiday in Turkey at the time when she received a call from his friend telling her he had been killed.

She said: "My mother-in-law was in our home country of Iran. I told her to get the first flight to the UK.

"I could not tell her over the phone what she was alone as she would have collapsed.

"When she arrived in the UK I told her her son was no longer with us.

"It's been two years since Ali was killed and for the last two years my mother-in-law has cried every day for her son.

"I have noticed a change in my husband since his brother was killed."

The relative told the court that Mr Ghaisar would often meet with refugees and members of the public in need.

She said: "He would always put others before himself and would give his last penny even if it meant Ali had nothing.

"From the bottom of my heart, I urge the court to give justice to Ali."

Tony Cornberg, defending, told the court: "Nothing that I'm about to say is intended to detract from what has happened and what my client did.

"There are constant reminders of what she did - passing that junction every day locally when she is eventually released.

"People have been making accounts on social media and sending abusive messages."

Mr Cornberg said Hardy, who passed her driving test in 2006, told him: "I just want my punishment to start."

Hardy was also banned from the roads for eight years and must pass an extended re-test before she can drive again.