Coward killed man after smashing £105k Audi at 100mph into car

Sulejman Zekthi, 34, took the high-performance Audi from his employer without permission

08:33, 04 Nov 2025

A reckless motorist who caused the death of a father-of-four after reaching speeds of 100mph on an A500 slip road has been sentenced to 11 years and five months in prison.

Sulejman Zekthi, 34, took a GBP105,000 Audi from his Wolverhampton workplace without permission and drove it to Stoke-on-Trent[1].

Zekthi dangerously weaved through traffic, undertaking and overtaking vehicles on the A500 before exiting the dual carriageway at the Wolstanton junction at 3.30pm on May 4, 2023.

However, he failed to slow down in time and was clocked driving at 102mph just 130 metres from the crash site and 61mph when only 45 metres away. The Audi crashed into a Nissan, flipping the vehicle onto its roof and causing minor injuries to the driver, including a cut hand and a head abrasion.

Zekthi's vehicle also struck a Vauxhall Grandland carrying Deborah Hassall and her 81 year old partner Stephen Penman, who were travelling to Wolstanton Retail Park. The retired electrician, a father-of-four and grandfather-of-seven, sustained severe injuries, including significant head trauma and a subdural haemorrhage.

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He was admitted to intensive care where he stayed until his discharge on May 24, 2023, reports Stoke on Trent Live[3].

But he began complaining of headaches and was taken to Leighton Hospital in Crewe where he developed pneumonia and died on May 28, 2023.

Zekthi and his passenger fled the scene.

He called his employer and said he had smashed the car.

His employer told him the car cost GBP105,000 and Zekthi replied that he would pay him back. He later surrendered himself to the police.

In a victim statement, Deborah Hassall said Stephen was her 'dearest partner' and her life has been unrecognisable from how it was before his death.

Her health has deteriorated and she has had to go to the doctors for stress and other reasons. Her daily routine was joyful and filled with laughter before but is now a chore.

They used to enjoy going to places like the Lake District but she now visits the local park.

She added: "Steve did not deserve to be taken too soon before his time."

Zekthi, of Edge Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and causing death by dangerous driving.

Balbir Singh, mitigating, said Zekthi left the scene through panic and fear.

He said the defendant lost his dad five years ago and his friend was killed and those matters, together with this, have led to a degree of post traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Singh said: "He was prior to this a man of good character. This is his first experience before the courts. This was an isolated incident in an otherwise good and productive life and his behaviour on that day was out of character.

"He accepts that the impact of his impulsivity has been catastrophic and has had very substantial consequences for many individuals but it is important to note that he did not intend those consequences and it is very unlikely he foresaw them but I accept he took that risk.

"He has expressed his remorse and his regret.

There is much more to this man. He has a partner and a daughter. I accept he will receive a significant sentence of imprisonment and since his remand he has sought to use his time constructively.

He will never appear before the courts again."

Judge Graeme Smith said: "The A500 is a busy dual carriageway which runs through the centre of Stoke-on-Trent. The junction where this occurred is a busy junction where vehicles exit the A500 to go to Newcastle, to Wolstanton Retail Park and to Festival Park. The speed limit before the junction is 50mph.

On the slip road leading down to the roundabout it drops to 30mph.

"On May 4, 2023 the occupants of two cars were going about their daily lives when without warning their vehicles were hit at speed by you. The car had been taken without permission from your employer and driven from Wolverhampton. Witnesses reported you weaving through traffic.

You travelled at over 100mph.

"As you acknowledge, your actions that day destroyed two families, that of Stephen Penman, he and his partner had returned from holiday only the day before. The second family is yours. You have a partner and a daughter.

No sentence I can pass can compensate for the loss of a life or the impact of that loss on the lives of others.

"It was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road. The real issue is the excessive speed. You callously fled the scene with thought only for yourself.

You have no previous convictions and have a good driving record.

You do now show some remorse and insight into what has happened."

Zekthi was disqualified from driving for 147 months and until he passes an extended re-test.

References

1. ^ Stoke-on-Trent (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ HERE (chat.whatsapp.com)
3. ^ Stoke on Trent Live (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)