Tarnjeet Multani, 21, was sentenced to nine years in prison after knocking down and killing Kishore Kumar Gill, a father of nine, in Ealing, London. Multani was driving at nearly 80mph in a 20mph zone and had been drinking whiskey and cokes before hitting Gill, who was crossing the road in a hi-vis jacket on his way to work. After the accident, Multani called Gill an obscene name and continued driving for 280 meters before attempting to flee the scene. He was stopped by the police 20 minutes later and was found to be over the legal blood alcohol limit.
At the trial, victim impact statements from Gill’s family were read, highlighting the immense pain and loss felt by his loved ones. Gill’s daughter, Kashore Ballard-Kumar, expressed her grief and described how her father’s death had affected her emotionally and financially. Multani denied the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving but was convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey. The judge, Richard Marks, highlighted Multani’s extreme irresponsibility and selfishness, noting that no sentence could undo the pain caused to Gill’s family.
Multani claimed to be in a state of shock and was unaware of his actions following the incident. He stated that he thought he was under the legal alcohol limit despite drinking heavily before the collision. The court heard how Multani had consumed alcohol from 3pm until 2am the night before the crash, indicating that he was likely well over the limit at the time of the accident. Despite his claims, Multani was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to nine years in prison, with a 12-year driving ban.
The court heard that Multani’s reckless and dangerous driving, combined with his high speed and intoxication, led to the tragic death of Kishore Kumar Gill. The judge emphasized the devastating impact of Gill’s death on his large and close-knit family, highlighting the irreparable loss they have suffered. Multani’s actions were deemed extremely irresponsible and selfish, with the judge noting the clear signs on the road that indicated a 20mph speed limit. Despite this, Multani chose to drive at high speeds while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a senseless loss of life. The judge’s sentencing reflected the severity of Multani’s actions and the lasting consequences of his dangerous behavior.
