Man jailed for killing driver while on TikTok

A driver who was watching TikTok videos when he crashed and killed another motorist has been jailed for eight years.

Norman Case, 58, was sitting in stationary traffic on the A12 near Kelvedon, Essex, in October 2024, when a black Mercedes went into the back of his vehicle.

Ismaeel Malik, 22, of Bledlow Ridge in High Wycombe, had also used several other apps on his phone shortly before crashing into Case's car at 70mph (113km/h).

Malik was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court having already admitted one count of causing death by dangerous driving.

Prosecutors said the TikTok app was active at the time of the collision, just after 09:30 GMT on 22 October 2024.

When police put this to Malik in his interview, he responded: "Yeah the videos were playing, but I'm not distracted by it."

Judge Mary Loram said it was "a devastating demonstration of just how dangerous it is to use mobile phones whilst driving".

Traffic had slowed to a halt on the northbound carriageway of the A12 between junctions 23 and 24.

Police said Malik had clear visibility of more than 300m (984ft) ahead of him, and would have had almost 10 seconds to react.

"It is difficult to understand how any road user could have missed what was obviously happening," the judge said.

Analysis showed he touched the accelerator just before the impact.

There was no attempt to use the brakes, the court heard, with Malik's only evasive action being to swerve to the left but "far too late".

Malik told police his brakes had failed, but the analysis afterwards showed the brakes had been in full working order.

Case died of serious head injuries.

The 58-year-old lived in Tolleshunt Major near Maldon and worked as a tech professional in the audio-visual industry.

Analysis of Malik's phone showed he had used WhatsApp, X and Waze on his phone during his two-hour drive that morning between work appointments, accessing the phone almost 100 times.

More than 30 victim impact statements were written by Case's family and friends, although only five could be read in court.

"I always believe in forgiveness, but I cannot comprehend how such a selfish act should be forgiven," said his daughter Kate, adding her father's death "was completely avoidable."

Norman's son Fraser shared memories of playing golf, tennis and football with his father, saying he had been "a mentor" to him.

"All I can think of is Norman's last moments," said his wife Sarah in an emotional statement.

"Did he feel pain? What were his last thoughts? Did he know how much his family loved him?"

"The thought that Norm will no longer be there for significant family moments breaks my heart."

In mitigation, barrister Edward Butler said the defendant "will never stop being sorry".

"This was a catastrophic lack of thought and judgement… but it was no more than that," he added.

Malik - who was also banned from driving for more than 10 years - showed no reaction as he was sentenced.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.