Driver jailed over teenager death

Scott Poll had qualified as a lifeguard before his death

A taxi driver who drove for a mile with a teenager trapped under his car has been jailed for three years.

Ghulam Hussain, 44, of West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was also banned from driving for five years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The court heard that Scott Poll, 17, of Wednesbury, had stepped in front of the taxi as he walked home on 26 February.

His mutilated body was found after it had been dragged along roads which included a number of speed bumps.

I am satisfied you continued to drive with an utterly reckless disregard for the safety of Scott Poll and that as a result he died Judge Frank Chapman

The court heard that Mr Poll was drunk at the time of the collision and had been shouting racist abuse at the father-of-six as he tried to hail his cab.

Judge Frank Chapman said he accepted that Hussain, of Grange Road, had tried to avoid Mr Poll when he stepped into the road.

"You should not have driven on, but in fear and panic you did so, and Scott Poll fell beneath your taxi," he said. After the incident Hussain had the underside of his car steam-cleaned, the judge added.

"I am satisfied you continued to drive with an utterly reckless disregard for the safety of Scott Poll and that as a result he died," he said.

In mitigation, Stephen Linehan QC said Hussain had acted out of panic and fear in a deserted, dark street after misinterpreting the intentions of Scott and two friends as an attack on his vehicle.