20-year-old Aalia Mahomed was in her second year of studying a physics and philosophy degree at King’s College London.

She died at the scene of the collision on The Strand in March last year.

Christopher Jackson pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Here’s Sentencing Judge, Philip Katz.

Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said:

“It is almost a year to the day since this terrible incident took place. It should never have happened, and Aalia should still be with us today, surrounded by those who loved her.

“Our thoughts, as always, remain with Aalia’s family and friends. Their strength over the past year has been extraordinary. We cannot begin to imagine the immeasurable suffering they have been through since last March.

“We would also like to share our thoughts with the two other victims, whose lives have been forever changed. They continue to show remarkable courage, and we know their lives will never be the same.

“Finally, I’d like to thank everyone involved in this investigation. We hope that this case serves as a reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving.”

Roy Pershad, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Our thoughts remain with all those who knew and loved Aalia Mahomed, as well as with the other victims who were seriously injured. This must be an unimaginably difficult time for all concerned.

“This was a catastrophic crash which claimed the life of Aalia, a young woman with her whole future ahead of her, and left two other people with life-changing injuries.

“Every person who gets behind the wheel has a responsibility to drive safely and with due care for those around them — the consequences when that driving falls short of that responsibility can be devastating.

“The Crown Prosecution Service carefully reviewed the evidence and worked closely with our police colleagues to build the strongest possible case. Jackson subsequently pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.

“We hope today’s sentence provides some measure of justice and comfort to Aalia’s family and to the other victims, as they continue to grieve and recover.”

On the morning of the incident, Jackson arrived at work and was assigned to collect two electric vehicles from Bush House in Aldwych.

While leaving Bush House’s courtyard, he drove at speed towards a set of iron gates leading to the pedestrian zone of The Strand.

Jackson collided with the gates, forcing them open and it was this force that led the gates to hit and seriously injure a 28-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man.

Members of the public rushed to help and they were taken to hospital by emergency responders. The impact of the collision left them both with severe and life-changing injuries.

Jackson continued to drive the vehicle forwards, causing it to mount a flower bed. The vehicle became briefly airborne before colliding with Aalia, who was sitting on a bench on the other side of the flower bed. She was facing away from the vehicle at the time of the collision.

Jackson continued, before coming to a stop close to the wall of St Mary-Le-Strand church.

Officers arrived at the incident within seven minutes and arrested Jackson at the scene.

The vehicle was later seized and examined, and it was reported that no mechanical defects had contributed to the collision.

Forensic collision investigators established that one of the main causes of the incident was unintended acceleration, made worse by Jackson’s panic.

Jackson had previously pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.