This article was amended at 14:15 on 2 February to account for updated information and at 14:45 for the Police statement.
The driver of a van that struck and killed a King’s student and seriously injured two others on Strand has pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, Roar can report.
On 18 March 2025, Aalia Mahomed, 20, was struck by a van whilst sitting on a bench outside Bush House. Tragically, she died at the scene. Two other King’s students, aged 27 and 23, were seriously injured and have since been discharged.
Christopher Jackson, 27, of Walton Road, Southampton, today pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Mismatched pedals
In previous hearings the court was told that Jackson, who works on contract as a vinyl installer, had entered a van in the courtyard area of Bush House. According to the Met, he had been earlier tasked with collecting the vehicle.
Having failed to familarise himself with the van, he pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the reverse pedal, rapidly accelerating through the gates leading on to Strand and knocking them off their hinges, striking two students who were seriously injured.
His vehicle then mounted – briefly becoming airborne – the flowerbeds and struck Aalia Mahomed at 11.44am, who was sitting on a bench at the time. Police and paramedics attended but she sadly died at the scene.
Like in his hearing earlier in the year at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Jackson wore a black shirt and trousers. He looked down in the dock for most of the hearing.
The prosecutor, Fiona Robertson, asked that sentencing be as early as possible – ideally before the anniversary of the event. Acting for the defence, Jessica Clark asked Judge Philip Katz KC to take Jackson’s three young children into account during sentencing, calling it a “tragic case”.
Whilst the judge agreed Jackson was not a “dangerous offender” he indicated Jackson would receive a “substantial custodial sentence.” Jackson has been remanded in custody to appear at the same court for sentencing on 6 March.
‘Bright, kind and beautiful’
Aalia studied Physics and Philosophy BSc at King’s and was in her second year at the time of her death.
She was described by her family in March last year as “a bright, kind and beautiful soul, who brought joy and laughter to everyone”. On 25 March many King’s students and staff, as well as Aalia’s friends and family, came together to observe a vigil on the Strand campus in her honour.
The university has since awarded her with a posthumous degree, collected by her family on her behalf.
At the awarding ceremony the Dean of King’s College London said, “We mourn today the potential of all she would have become, her lost future, as well as the loss of all that she was.”
Her family have since also launched a campaign entitled ‘Be More Aalia‘ to fundraise for charitable causes in her name.
Jackson was arrested at the scene of the incident and bailed until he was charged on 1 December 2025. He last appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 January.
He pleaded guilty to three charges under section 1 and 1A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, of the Met’s Serious Collison Investigation Unit, said:
“Our thoughts remain with Aalia’s friends and family at this time. We can only imagine the pain they are suffering and we know nothing can undo what’s happened. We hope today’s guilty plea brings them a small measure of comfort.
“I want to thank our officers for their dedication and professionalism in helping to achieve justice. We would also like to thank the members of the public who came to Aalia’s aid, and to all of those who assisted us with our investigation.”
Roar extends its sincere condolences to Aalia’s family and to everyone affected by her passing, and wishes the best for the two other students affected
Reporting from the Old Bailey: Kaveh Kordestani for Roar
Kaveh Kordestani is a staff writer for Roar
