Little girl, 4, hit & killed while walking on pavement after Eid celebrations – as careless driver, 23, pleads guilty
Mayar Yahia was struck down on a Birmingham street while walking with her family after celebrating Eid.
5
Mayar Yahia, 4, was killed last year in the Birmingham crash
Credit: SWNS
5
The little girl's father paid a heartbreaking tribute
Credit: BPM
5
Javonnie Tavener will be sentenced at a later date
Credit: West Midlands Police
Horror unfolded on April 14 last year when
He ploughed into the little girl, her mother Sara, and their neighbour on Upper Highgate Street.
She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives
Mayar's grieving father
Paramedics tragically pronounced the tot dead at the scene, while Sara and her friend were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Three other pedestrians were also hurt in the crash.
Read More
Cops later detained and charged 23-year-old Tavener with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.
He pleaded guilty to all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday this week.
The defendant has been remanded in custody while awaiting a sentencing date.
In a statement, released via West Midlands Police at the time of her death, Mayar's grieving father said words failed to capture his grief.
Most read in The Sun
He said: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating loss of our cherished daughter, Mayar.
"She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives.
Three pedestrians injured by falling rubble as van crashes through multi-storey car park wall in UK city centre
"Among all, she held a special place in my heart.
"Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss.
"However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family, and friends.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have stood by our side, offering your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time."
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from WMP'S serious collision investigation unit, said: "Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her.
"She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid.
'Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events.
'I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences."
The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads.
It will stop traffic from reaching a stretch of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park.
5
The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads
Credit: Better Streets for Birmingham
5
The scene of the collision on Upper Highgate Street last April
Credit: BPM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Moment McDonald's customer points GUN at teens while revealing stab-proof vest – before waving weapon at cop
THIS is the shocking moment a man casually brandished a weapon at a group of teenagers in his local McDonald's and later aimed it at a police officer in the street. Jacob Jenkins, 29, was snapped on CCTV taking a seat with a tray full of food at the restaurant chain in Tonypandy, Wales on May 2. 5 Jacob Jenkins casually eats his food at his local Mcdonald's in Tonypandy Credit: SWNS 5 He then opens up his jacket and brandishes a gun Credit: SWNS He then unzips his jacket revealing a stab-proof vest and is seen staring menacingly at the youths while eating a burger. The teens reportedly asked Jenkins if he was a cop, to which he replied "marines" before brandishing the gun. The lads swiftly exited the restaurant and dialled 999. Jenkins was later spotted by a police officer on Gelli Road. Rather than cooperating with officers, Jenkins pulled out the weapon for a second time and pointed it at the responding officer before fleeing the scene. More officers were dispatched to track down and arrest Jenkins, who discarded his coat at a nearby construction site. After apprehending the culprit, a police dog and its handler recovered the coat along with two guns, which had been well-hidden under pallets. Cops then combed through the address where Jenkins was staying, where they recovered another stab-vest and a tub of BB pellets. Jenkins pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of an imitation firearm in a public place, and two counts of possession of a bladed article in public at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday. He was jailed for four years and one month in prison, with an extended period of three years. Moment Britain's 'dopiest burglar' is caught red-handed after staring straight into Ring doorbell of home he ransacked 'This incident was extremely frightening for everyone involved -from the youths who should have felt safe while enjoying their meal to the officer who was faced with a gun from just metres away,' said detective consttable Sarah Griffiths of South Wales Police. 'It demonstrates clearly how even weapons perceived by some to be harmless, such as BB guns, can be extremely dangerous in the hands of the wrong people. "As shown here, they can be used to deliberately cause fear, or to carry out serious offences. 'As part of our In The Wrong Hands campaign, we urge our communities to work with us to ensure weapons such as this don't fall into the hands of the wrong people, and I cannot commend the young witnesses in this case enough. "Their quick-thinking ensured we were able to seize the weapons and bring Jenkins before the courts. 'I'm pleased Jenkins has been handed a custodial sentence and hope this brings some reassurance and comfort to those involved in the incident and the wider community.' 5 Jenkins was later arrested by cops Credit: SWNS 5 The culprit pointed the weapon at a responding police officer moments before Credit: SWNS
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Moment Britain's ‘dopiest burglar' is caught red-handed after staring straight into Ring doorbell of home he ransacked
THIS is the moment Britain's 'dopiest burglar' was caught red-handed after staring straight into a Ring doorbell camera of a home he ransacked. Ashley Whitehouse, 42, was snapped peering through the lens outside the gaff in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on March 23 this year. Advertisement 3 Shocking footage shows a man hurling bricks at another man after breaking into a home 3 Ashley Whitehouse was seen chucking a stone after a failed burglary at the victims on Wingfield Avenue Credit: SWNS 3 Whitehouse, 42, was caught red-handed after staring straight into the family's Ring doorbell camera Credit: SWNS CCTV footage also captured Whitehouse hurling rocks at the homeowner as he fled the scene of the botched break-in on Wingfield Avenue. The thug was then chased down the street by the couple who were awoken by the intruder at around 8am. He had walked into their bedroom but fled the address following an "altercation", Nottinghamshire Police said. A court heard Whitehouse continued to threaten the victims and threw a paving slab through their car window. Advertisement He also lobbed stones and bricks from a nearby garden at the man before hitting him in the stomach with a large stick. The victims later discovered their kitchen had been ransacked and a purse containing a bank card had been stolen. A mobile phone was also recovered from a plant pot by the front door and officers were able to identify it as Whitehouse's device. He was arrested at his home just two hours later and while being detained headbutted an officer who was left with an injury to her ear. Advertisement Whitehouse, of Worksop, pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was jailed for two years and 11 months at Nottingham Crown Court earlier today. Moment Scots Ryanair passenger hauled off flight by cops for 'VAPING' on plane Detective Constable Amy McMillan, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "It will have been a frightening experience for the victims to be awoken by an intruder and then come face to face with a masked man inside their home. "Burglary is an offence which can have a deep and lasting impact on those affected. Advertisement "This is why preventing break-ins and bringing burglars to justice is a priority for the force. "Whitehouse reacted violently to being disturbed and continued his aggressive behaviour by hurling bricks at the victim as he fled and assaulting him. "When officers tracked him down a short time later he responded by headbutting an officer who was simply doing her job. "As a force we will not tolerate attacks on officers. Advertisement "Being assaulted and injured while on duty is not part of the job description and never will be."
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Little girl, 4, hit & killed while walking on pavement after Eid celebrations – as careless driver, 23, pleads guilty
A FOUR-year-old girl was tragically killed after a careless driver, 23, ploughed into the pavement. Mayar Yahia was struck down on a Birmingham street while walking with her family after celebrating Eid. 5 Mayar Yahia, 4, was killed last year in the Birmingham crash Credit: SWNS 5 The little girl's father paid a heartbreaking tribute Credit: BPM 5 Javonnie Tavener will be sentenced at a later date Credit: West Midlands Police Horror unfolded on April 14 last year when He ploughed into the little girl, her mother Sara, and their neighbour on Upper Highgate Street. She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives Mayar's grieving father Paramedics tragically pronounced the tot dead at the scene, while Sara and her friend were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Three other pedestrians were also hurt in the crash. Read More Cops later detained and charged 23-year-old Tavener with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving. He pleaded guilty to all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday this week. The defendant has been remanded in custody while awaiting a sentencing date. In a statement, released via West Midlands Police at the time of her death, Mayar's grieving father said words failed to capture his grief. Most read in The Sun He said: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating loss of our cherished daughter, Mayar. "She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. Three pedestrians injured by falling rubble as van crashes through multi-storey car park wall in UK city centre "Among all, she held a special place in my heart. "Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss. "However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family, and friends. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have stood by our side, offering your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time." Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from WMP'S serious collision investigation unit, said: "Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her. "She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid. 'Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events. 'I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences." The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads. It will stop traffic from reaching a stretch of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park. 5 The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads Credit: Better Streets for Birmingham 5 The scene of the collision on Upper Highgate Street last April Credit: BPM
