Angry scenes at court as teenager admits causing death of two schoolgirls in horror crash

13/12/2023

A teenager who killed two schoolgirls [1] in a 3am horror crash after taking his mum’s car for a drive is facing a jail sentence. Idrees Ibn-Haroon, 19, from Stockport, lost control of the Vauxhall Corsa and ploughted into an oncoming Ford Fiesta whilst speeding around a bend in Disley, Cheshire. Victims Mariah Hussein, 16, and her 13-year-old cousin Kiara O’Lisa, both from Manchester, who were travelling in the back of the Corsa, suffered multiple injuries in the smash and died at the scene.

Mariah’s sister Saira Hussein, 21 was also in the car and was taken to hospital but her injuries were not life-threatening. The 20-year-old woman who was driving the Fiesta was taken to hospital for treatment for what were described as ‘minor’ injuries

Haroon, from Cheadle [4], who was a friend of Saira, suffered fractures to his spine and multiple superficial wounds to his hands and his wrists plus bruising to his hip, chest, and leg.

He passed a roadside breath and drugs test. A court heard he told an officer at the scene: “I came around the corner probably a little too fast and the back end went out.”

Kiara O’Lisa (Image: Cheshire Police)

It was not disclosed why the group was out at 3.15am at the time of the crash, which happened on the A6 Buxton Road West in Disley. At Warrington Magistrates Court on Wednesday (December 13), Haroon pleaded guilty to two charges of causing death by careless driving.

He will now be sentenced by a judge at Chester Crown Court after magistrates said their sentencing powers were insufficient and transferred his case there. He was released on bail but was warned he faces a custodial sentence. The maximum possible sentence for causing death by careless driving is five years in jail.

As he left the building Haroon was angrily confronted by a female relative of one of the victims before court staff intervened. Earlier Lucy McGowan, prosecuting, told the court: “On Sunday 19th of March of this year a road traffic collision occurred on the A6, Buxton Road West, involving a silver Vauxhall Corsa being driven by the defendant which belonged to his mother and a red Ford Fiesta.

Mariah Hussein (Image: Cheshire Police)

“There is a left-hand bend where the speed changes from 40 to 30 mph and there is a ‘slow’ sign on the road. The defendant was driving his Corsa towards Stockport [5] when he failed to safely negotiate a left-hand band and lost control of his vehicle and travelling onto the opposite carriageway and collided with the Ford Fiesta.

“There is CCTV footage which captured the collision behind some hedges from someone’s house. When PC Barlow arrived at the scene at 3.15am he saw the defendant who said, ‘I came around the corner probably a little too fast and the back end went out.’ He was arrested and tested negative for breath and saliva tests. “He was conveyed to hospital and had the full trauma CT and MRI scans.

His injuries were addressed but he declined any additional treatment and arrived in custody at 10.10pm.

Police at the scene on Buxton Road West following the crash on March 19 this year (Image: MEN MEDIA)

“On the sentencing guidelines, the aggravating features are the speed and the failure to take into account the surrounding weather [6] conditions and the fact two young people died” she added. “Considering the young age of the two victims this case ought to be dealt with at the crown court for sentencing.” The court was told Haroon has no previous convictions, His lawyer Michelle Man said: ”The defendant is 19 now but he was 18 at the time of the incident. He has entered a very early guilty plea and will be afforded credit in due course.

“He fully accepts that his level of driving on that day fell below the standard expected on the road. There are some minor points that he does not accept but they can voiced at the crown court.”

Haroon pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving at Warrington Magistrates Court (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Imposing an interim driving ban, the magistrates ordered a probation report ahead of his sentencing at the crown court on January 15. Haroon was bailed on condition that he signs on at his local police station.

At the time of the crash, Mariah’s family said in a statement: “Mariah was a beautiful young girl full of life, she had so much to live for we can’t begin to explain how heartbroken we are as her parents losing our beautiful baby. “As mother and father we are shattered and feel helpless but pray that our beautiful girl is at peace and have no choice but to accept this was the will of God. Mummy and daddy love you Mariah until we meet again my princess.”

Kiara’s family said: “Our beautiful Kiara was a very smart girl, wise beyond her years. Her smile could light up the darkest rooms. She was very outgoing and had lots and lots of friends.

We will miss her infectious smile. “Her cheekiness would drive us mad but also make us happy at the same time. We are at a loss at what to do.

We are heartbroken and will miss our beautiful Kiara eternally.”

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References

^ killed two schoolgirls (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Girl accused of murdering Brianna Ghey was ‘giddy’ before her death, co-accused claims (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Nine arrested as police seize ‘large amount’ of cocaine, heroin and GBP12,000 in cash (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Cheadle (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Stockport (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ weather (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ by clicking here (chat.whatsapp.com)
^ Sign up to our Stockport newsletter to get the latest updates to your inbox (data.reachplc.com)