On July 29, 2021, a tragic accident on Princess Road led to the death of 70-year-old Joan Spence, a beloved great-grandmother. The incident involved a taxi driver and a speeding motorist, both guilty of dangerous driving.

Mohamed Mahamoud, 38, was driving his Toyota Auris at 40mph and failed to slow down as he approached the traffic lights at the junction with Great Western Street. Despite the lights changing to amber and then red, Mahamoud did not stop.

Simultaneously, Mahad Ciid, 55, driving a taxi with a passenger, switched lanes without checking mirrors or indicating and came to a sudden stop at the lights. As Mahamoud hit the taxi, he veered onto the pavement, colliding with a traffic light where Ms. Spence was waiting.

Ms. Spence sustained catastrophic head injuries from the impact and tragically died despite the efforts of paramedics. Both drivers remained at the scene to provide assistance.

During the trial, Mahad Ciid pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, while Mahamoud was found guilty of the same offence. They were sentenced to suspended prison terms at Manchester Crown Court.

'She was a very much loved mum'

Prosecutor Robert Smith recounted that Ms. Spence, residing on Princess Road, had left her home around 12:40 am to dispose of rubbish in a nearby bin. This short walk ended in tragedy when she was hit by the dislodged traffic light.

Emphasizing her significance, her family described her as "the heart of the family," expressing the profound impact of her loss. Ms. Spence had previously cared for her late daughter and assumed responsibility for her grandchildren.

Her daughter lamented, “Family gatherings are not the same without her... she was heaven sent and gave us the best life possible.”

They urged the defendants to recognize the gravity of their actions, as Ms. Spence had harmed no one and always aimed for the best for others.

Mahamoud's defense emphasized his remorse and challenging background, citing his trauma from civil war in Somalia and subsequent mental health issues. His legal representative requested leniency, highlighting his role as a primary carer for his father battling cancer.

For Mahad Ciid, his defense argued that the rapid change of lights forced an emergency maneuver, asserting he had checked mirrors before switching lanes. His plea included an expression of deep regret for the incident.

Both men spared jail

Judge Hilary Manley noted that Ms. Spence was a vibrant individual whose loss left an irreplaceable void. She emphasized the negligence of both drivers, stating that Mahamoud intended to run the red light and that Ciid had failed to check properly before changing lanes.

Mahamoud received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, while Ciid was given a six-month term, suspended for 12 months. Both drivers must fulfill rehabilitation requirements and are banned from driving for two years and one year, respectively.

Following the sentencing, Ms. Spence's family released a tribute: “Joan was the heart of our family... Our family has never been the same since. We hope to see her again soon and hope she knows somewhere how much she is missed by us all.”