A young thief, Sam Asgari-Tabar, has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for crashing a stolen car into a care home in Sunderland. The incident left a 94-year-old woman trapped in rubble with a broken neck. Asgari-Tabar was driving at speeds over 100mph while attempting to evade the police with his accomplice, Reece Parish, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with the Highcliffe Care Home, causing injuries to several elderly residents.
The elderly woman buried under the debris suffered severe injuries, including a fractured vertebrae, and had to be rescued by firefighters. The care home sustained £260,000 in damages, leading to significant financial losses for the facility.
During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that Asgari-Tabar, who was already banned from driving due to prior drug-related offenses, was also involved in a robbery and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He received a seven-year and seven-month driving ban in addition to his prison sentence. Parish, on the other hand, was sentenced to three years and one month for his role in the robbery and a separate act of violent disorder during the Sunderland riots.
Judge Stephen Earl described the incident as one of the most egregious cases he had encountered in his legal career, emphasizing the impact on the vulnerable residents of the care home. The victims, ranging in age from 60 to 97 and many suffering from dementia, were left traumatized by the events that unfolded that day in a place where they should have felt safe.
The court heard that Asgari-Tabar and Parish had initially gone to purchase a BMW 3 series from a seller in Fenham. However, they deceived the seller and stole the car, leaving the woman who was accompanying them stranded. The duo had planned to steal the vehicle from the outset, as they did not have the funds to make a legitimate purchase.
The care home’s catastrophic collision with the stolen car resulted in multiple injuries to residents, with some requiring emergency evacuation and medical attention. The son of the 94-year-old victim expressed the emotional toll the incident had taken on his mother, who suffered extensive injuries and a loss of mobility as a result of the accident.
Numerous other elderly residents were also harmed in the crash, with some having to relocate due to the damage inflicted on the care home. Asgari-Tabar and Parish, with their history of criminal offenses, admitted to the robbery of the car, with Asgari-Tabar also accepting responsibility for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In statements presented to the court, Asgari-Tabar expressed remorse for his actions, emphasizing concern for the well-being of the elderly victim. Parish’s defense highlighted his young age at the time of the incident.
The repercussions of this reckless act continue to impact the victims and their families, underscoring the devastating consequences of criminal behavior on vulnerable members of society.