Van driver admits killing student in Strand crash

A man has pleaded guilty to killing a university student after he struck her with his van in central London.

Aalia Mahomed, 20, who was in her second year of studying a physics and philosophy degree at King's College London, died at the scene of the collision on the Strand on 18 March 2025.

Christopher Jackson, 27, of Southampton, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

A court heard previously that the van collided with a metal gate, knocking it off its hinges, before hitting the bench where Mahomed was sitting.

Two other people, Irem Yoldas and Yamin Belmessous, were injured in the incident.

Jackson admitted the charges with a sombre expression and with his head bowed and continued to look towards the floor for the majority of the hearing.

Prosecutor Fiona Robertson said Mahomed's family and the two surviving victims are "anxious" for Jackson to be sentenced before the anniversary of the incident.

Judge Philip Katz KC said: "It is inevitably going to be a substantial custodial sentence."

Jessica Clarke, defending, told the court Jackson has three young children with his fiance and has been trying to "earn as much money" as he can for his family before the sentencing.

She also said: "Unlike many cases of death by dangerous driving which involve excessive speed, alcohol and drugs, this involves none of that. It was a tragic accident."

Jackson, who was remanded in custody, will be sentenced at the same court on 6 March.

Det Ch Supt Donna Smith, from the Met's Serious Collison Investigation Unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with Aalia's friends and family at this time.

"We can only imagine the pain they are suffering and we know nothing can undo what's happened.

"We hope today's guilty plea brings them a small measure of comfort."

She also thanked members of the public who came to Aalia's aid, everyone who assisted with the police investigation as well as the officers who worked on the case.

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