Mum-of-three hit and killed by ‘coward’ driver who sank 10 pints & ploughed into her car before fleeing scene
A DRIVER who collided with a "beautiful" mum-of-three and left her dying in the road after fleeing the scene has been jailed.
Matthew Harris, 36, drank ten pints of what is believed to be lager, before getting into his Nissan Juke and hitting Keita Mullen, 30, and another pedestrian in July 2022.
Keita, a mum-of-three, was thrown across the road and was pronounced dead after suffering from serious injuries and her friend now has mental trauma from the incident, which happened in Bawtry, South Yorks.
Harris fled the scene and evaded police, but officers located the wing mirror of the car at the scene and after some enquiries, they were able to identity the make and model of the vehicle.
They then discovered it at Harris' property in Conisbrough, South Yorks, but it had extensive damage consistent with being involved in a collision Forensic examination also led to Kieta's DNA being found on the windscreen.
Officers also discovered Harris consumed ten pints of what is believed to be lager, before getting back into the car and driving along the A1 and towards Doncaster, South Yorks.
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Harris was arrested and interviewed four days later, where he answered 'no comment' to every question, but he then pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced today (Friday) at Sheffield Crown Court to 16 years in jail, but it was reduced to ten years and eight months after he pleaded guilty.
Harris also received a 12-year disqualification from driving upon his release.
Serious collisions sergeant John Taylor, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "No length of sentence handed to Harris can bring Kieta back.".
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"We know at the time of the collision Harris was driving without a licence and insurance and driving at speed having consumed 11 pints of alcohol."
"Harris' actions led him to killing Kieta were selfish, and following the collision can only be described as that of a coward."
"I am pleased he will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars, and I hope a strong message is sent to our communities; we all have a responsibility for each other.
"You will be held responsible for your actions while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
"We have a zero tolerance for those who pose a risk, and will put you before the courts."
Following Keita's death, her husband Tom Mullen wrote a heartbreaking tribute to her, saying "nothing will ever be the same without you".
He wrote on Facebook: "Literally my best friend for more than half my life, nothing will ever be the same without you!
"Beautiful inside and out, so immensely talented and the best mummy in the world!
"I promise you I'll take care of our babies, raise them exactly how you wanted and make sure they never forget just how special you are.
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"We all love and miss you so much Keits."
Meryl Chambers, 51, is charged with aid abet counsel procure the causing the death by driving a vehicle- driver unlicenced and uninsured in connection to this case and will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on March 2 2026.
