A young mum who killed her passenger after consuming 'laughing gas' and driving at excessive speed has been jailed. Nasrin Saleh had consumed nitrous oxide and reached speeds of up to 103mph before crashing into a roundabout.
Mr Begum said: "There was no cause for concern from me in relation to his driving. He didn’t appear to have been speeding or being under the influence of alcohol. He presented as sober". He watched the car continue at high speeds along the road and crash into a roundabout - lifting into the air before rolling onto its roof and bursting into flames.
The taxi driver returned to the fire and tried to reach Mr Mehboob but he was unresponsive. Mr Cooper was forced to step back due to the strength of the fire and smoke. The author of the toxicology report noted the substance can cause euphoria, sedation, confusion and disorientation, dizziness, loss of coordination and hallucinations, with intoxication lasting typically between 30 seconds and two minutes.
In mitigation, Fuad Arshad said Saleh "fully accepted that it was her actions and her actions alone that resulted in the death of Mr Mehboob." He added his client acknowledged that she drove at excessive speed and that her driving "caused a substantial risk of danger to other road users".