Driver jailed for killing Natasha Thorp in Sutton Coldfield

An uninsured driver who killed a young woman and seriously injured her friend when he lost control of his car and mounted the pavement has been jailed.

Natasha Thorp, who was 21, was walking on Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield, on 22 August 2025 when she was hit by the car and died at the scene.

Her friend suffered serious leg injuries when they were struck just before midnight by the Toyota Corolla being driven by 20-year-old Saleh Hassan.

Hassan admitted to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while uninsured. On Friday, he was jailed for nine years and four months at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and eight months.

The 20-year-old had appeared via video-link at the court on Friday as the cells had been flooded, so he could not attend in person.

Shortly before the crash last year, Hassan had been driving multiple circuits around Sutton Coldfield town centre before heading down Brassington Avenue, which is a 30mph road.

He swerved out of control, mounted the pavement and hit the two women at approximately 45mph.

Members of the public, including passing motorists, rushed to try to help the women ahead of police and ambulance crews arriving. Hassan was arrested by officers at the scene.