Two men plead guilty after stealing BMW that was chased by cops and ploughed into care home killing two elderly women
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
TWO thugs have pleaded guilty to stealing a BMW and later ploughing into a care home.
The horror saw two residents killed at Highcliffe Care Home, in Witherwack, Sunderland, on July 10.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Sam Asgari-Tabar, 21, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving
Credit: PA
5
Reece Parish, 21, admitted to stealing the BMW
Credit: PA
5
The car ploughed into Highcliffe Care Home on July 10
Credit: PA
Northumbria Police said eight residents were rushed to hospital, with one victim being treated for spinal fractures.
The force confirmed two days after the crash that two women, aged in their 80s and 90s had died.
The blue BMW had been pursued by officers on the A1231 when it crashed into the home, which cares for dementia sufferers.
It followed reports of a car being stolen in Newcastle around 20 minutes before the crash.
After a short pursuit, the BMW struck the Highcliffe Care Home.
Pictures revealed a gaping hole in the side of the nursing home - which cares for around 60 residents.
Upturned furniture could be seen among shattered bricks and broken glass inside while rubble also littered the ground outside the home.
Reece Parish, of Fordham Road, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a videolink and admitted stealing the motor.
The 21-year-old denied a kidnap charge relating to a woman who was in the BMW 3-series when he and co-accused Sam Asgari-Tabar took it for a test drive.
Christopher Knox, for Parish, said the defendant was "regretful and apologetic" about the tragedy.
Grandad, 86, killed on way to chippie by drug dealer popping wheelies on e-bike
Asgari-Tabar, of no fixed address, previously admitted robbery and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Northumbria Police confirmed the two men will not face charges over the deaths of the two women.
The force said: "Following the incident, two care home residents died a short time later but no criminal proceedings are to be brought in relation to the deaths."
Judge Robert Spragg said the men will be sentenced on October 17 and he remanded the pair in custody.
He told them: "You have both very sensibly pleaded guilty to these matters and you will be given credit for that from the sentencing judge in due course."
At the time of the crash, Asgari-Tabar was subject to a suspended sentence imposed in May, the court heard.
The Crown Prosecution Service indicated that it will not proceed with the kidnap charges against the pair and those alleged offences will lie on file.
After the hearing, Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: "This was a shocking incident in one of our communities - the actions of both men that night were incredibly reckless.
"I am pleased the swift and diligent work of all involved in our investigation left them with no choice but to admit their guilt at court."
A spokesperson for Avery Healthcare, which runs the home, said: "We are deeply saddened by the incident at our home in Sunderland and our thoughts are with all those affected.
"We are committed to supporting our residents, their families, and our dedicated staff during this incredibly difficult time.
"We are immensely grateful for the compassion and professionalism our teams have shown and continue to show.
"As this remains part of an active police investigation, we are unable to comment further at this stage."
5
Tributes and flowers left at the care home
Credit: NCJMedia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Press and Journal
Biker faces raft of surgeries for broken hip bones after being 'forced off A87 by driver on wrong side of road'
A motorcyclist has relived the moment he plunged off a Highland road onto rocks to avoid a head-on collision on the A87. Gavin Lawrie was riding near Glen Shiel when he says he was met by a black BMW driving on the wrong side of the road. He had a split second to avoid a crash – with his efforts to evade the car sending him off the road. He has been bedbound since the incident and the ordeal compounds what he describes as a 'hellish' year following the death of his 22-year-old daughter six months ago. Mr Lawrie sustained serious injuries in the accident, suffering several fractures that will require extensive surgery to repair. He told The Press and Journal the car had not stopped – but fortunately there were other road users who came to his aid. The incident took place on the A87, near Glen Shiel, at about 4.30pm on Friday and has been reported to police. Mr Lawrie, from Kingussie, said: 'I had to make a split-second decision. He could hit me head-on, or I could put the throttle down, which is what I did. 'I remember being thrown onto the rocks. 'The car didn't stop, but two bikers did and they called the police and ambulance who arrived quickly.' The retired 58-year-old was taken to Broadford Hospital on Skye, where X-rays revealed two broken bones in his hip. He also has a suspected fracture in his right ankle and is now wearing a moon boot. 'I haven't been able to walk since Friday and I'm currently bedbound,' he said. 'I'm awaiting transfer to Raigmore Hospital, where I'll have a CT scan. They may need to pin my hip socket bone.' Mr Lawrie said if he hadn't been wearing protective clothing and a helmet, he'd been told by paramedics they 'would have been sweeping me off the rocks'. Mr Lawrie has faced many recent struggles, including the loss of his daughter, yet he remains a fighter. He said: 'The main thing is I'm still here. 'I've been through hell and back, but I've come to accept that my daughter's gone. 'My faith is strong, and I believe we will meet again. 'I live to tell the story.' Earlier this summer, police began giving tourists arriving in Scotland wristbands telling them to 'drive on the left' after a series of crashes across the country. The wristbands are the latest tool being used by officers in an attempt to reduce collisions. It has been a particular issue in the Highlands and islands in recent years. Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service have been contacted for a statement regarding the incident. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, curated by Oban-based reporter Louise Glen, for top local stories and community highlights. here.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Family pay heartbreaking tribute to teen killed in crash who ‘brought love to everything he did' as driver, 36, jailed
The teen had a bright future ahead of him and was about to embark on an aerospace engineering program TRAGIC CRASH Family pay heartbreaking tribute to teen killed in crash who 'brought love to everything he did' as driver, 36, jailed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GRIEVING family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to their "beautiful" son who tragically lost his life in a fatal car crash. William Ray, 17, died when when woman in an Audi smashed into his Ford Fiesta. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 William Ray was driving at the time of the horror Credit: Family handout 4 William's mate Eddie Shore was also killed in the crash Credit: Family handout The teenager, who had been stopped at temporary traffic lights, was killed in the horror crash along with his mate Eddie Shore, 18. Mum-of-two Natasha Allarakhia was driving her two young daughters when she crashed into William's Ford in North Rauceby, Lincolnshire. Allarakhia, 36, from Norwich — was sentenced to ten years in prison earlier this week. The court was told she was sipping alcohol while at the wheel and had been driving at 90mph before the crash. She also lied to the police to try to escape justice for her actions, the court heard. William's heartbroken mum, Sarah Barker, has now paid a touching tribute to her boy, who "brought love to everything he did". She said: 'Will was not just my only son, he was also my best friend, and I love him dearly. "Throughout his life, he brought me joy, love and hope in everything he did. "But not only that, he was a fantastic stepson, grandson and brother." Sarah told how William had a bright future ahead of him - and was about to embark on an aerospace engineering course at university. She added: 'Will's life was only just starting and he was looking forward to beginning the next chapter of it. He was both academic and athletic – not only was he gifted at gymnastics where he trained at Lincoln Gymnastic Club, but also a keen rugby player at Sleaford Rugby Club. "He was due to attend the University of Sheffield to study aerospace engineering, having successfully passed his A-levels, something he never got to see. 'As a mother, I will never get to see Will graduate, get married or make his future life. " William's father Steven has also paid tribute to his son: 'Will had been out celebrating with his friends as they concluded their A-level examinations and were returning home when he was taken from us. "He had been looking forward to a future of university, travel, relationships, all of which I know would have been filled with success. 'Will was the best of us, as a son, brother, grandson, and friend. A sportsman, academic and boyfriend – I genuinely believe that I never heard a bad word said against him. " 'We now all have to learn what a new normal will be for us without Will. He will never be forgotten.' 4 Natasha Allarakhia has been jailed for ten years Lincoln Crown Court heard Allarakhia was disqualified from driving in January this year over failing to provide information about two speeding offences in the weeks before and after the fatal crash. At the time of the tragedy, she was "literally drinking and driving" as she sped around with her two daughters, aged seven and 12, in the back while sipping from a can of lager. She reached speeds of 96mph before crashing into William's stationary car at 70mph. The mum then laughed while taking a roadside breathalyser test and spent more than an hour lying to police. Data taken from the two cars showed Allarakhia did not take her foot off the accelerator until just two seconds before the collision. It also revealed she was just 121ft away from the Fiesta when her brakes were briefly applied. Prosecutor David Eager said William in comparison had shown "exemplary' driving before the crash in June last year. Allarakhia admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and one charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She was also banned from driving for a total of 12 years and 8 months and must take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again. Allarakhia wept and cried out "I'm so sorry" as William and Eddie's families read heartbreaking victim impact statements.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Urgent search for missing Scots schoolgirl, 14, who vanished wearing pyjamas and slippers
FIND HER Urgent search for missing Scots schoolgirl, 14, who vanished wearing pyjamas and slippers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN urgent search has been launched for a missing teenager who vanished wearing pyjamas and slippers. Mia Nugent, 14, was last seen in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, around 10.15pm on Monday, August 18. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The schoolgirl is described as 5ft 1ins with long blonde hair. When she was last seen, she was wearing a red jumper, pink pyjama trousers and white slippers. Cops say she is known to frequent Glasgow city centre and North Lanarkshire. Inspector William Deans said: "We are growing increasingly concerned for Mia. She is known to frequent Glasgow city centre and North Lanarkshire. I would appeal to anyone who has seen her to get in touch. "If you have any information which may help trace Mia, please contact 101, quoting incident 4201 of 18 August, 2025."
