Iranian refugee, 53, killed woman, 56, in smash while using a mobile

Iranian refugee, 53, who killed woman, 56, in head-on smash while using a mobile at wheel then called a friend to the scene to take his phone away in bid to hide evidence is jailed for five years

• Mohammed Javadpour, 53, drove while using his phone in Stockport, Cheshire
• He veered into the the wrong side of the road, crashing into Elayne Goodwin, 56
• Miss Goodwin lay dying in wreckage as Javanpour tried to dispose of his phone
• Javadpour was jailed five years, after trying to suggest Miss Goodwin was wrong

A man who killed a woman in a head-on car smash in Stockport, Cheshire, while he was using a mobile phone has been jailed for five years today.

Mohammed Javadpour, 53, was distracted with his device when he failed to spot a narrow blind bend at 8.30pm on November 12, 2019.

He veered into the wrong side of the road and ploughed straight into Elayne Goodwin’s Vauxhall car.

As Miss Goodwin, 56, lay dying in the wreckage of her vehicle and police tended to her at the scene, Javadpour used the smart phone to make contact with a friend and arranged for the device to be taken away.

The tragedy occurred after Javadpour had gone to the chemist before buying a pizza from a nearby takeaway.

It was while driving home along Bramhall Lane South, he began chatting on his phone whilst at the wheel of his silver ML280 CDI SUV. The phone has never been recovered.

Mr Mark Brookes prosecuting said: “The defendant paid no attention to the road because he was too busy on his phone. As a result his car continued straight when it came to a bend, went on the wrong side of the road and was in a head-on collision with Miss Goodwin’s car.’

Miss Goodwin, who lived in Stockport, Greater Manchester, suffered a broken neck and various fatal crush injuries including broken ribs and bruising to her lungs and liver.

She sadly contracted pneumonia and died in hospital 12 days later. 

Mohammed Javadpour, 53, who killed Elayne Goodwin in a head-on car smash while he was driving using a mobile phone, has been jailed for five years

Miss Goodwin, 56, who lived in Stockport, Greater Manchester, suffered a broken neck and various fatal crush injuries including broken ribs and sadly died 12 days later

Her elderly parents, who are aged in their 80s and had been on holiday in Tenerife at the time of the crash, were able to return to the UK to see her before she died.

Javadpour, from Woodford, Stockport, had previous convictions for driving while disqualified, having no insurance and possessing fake motoring documents with intent to deceive.

He initially blamed Miss Goodwin for the crash before blaming the fictitious driver of a third mystery car which he claimed had fled the scene.

Later, when shown a copy of an independent accident report proving he was in fact to blame, Javanpour claimed to not understand his legal advice.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Javadpour admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was also given a three-year driving ban which will begin when he is freed.

Mr Brookes told the court: ‘It was a significant collision. One eye witness at the scene saw the defendant leaning forward as if to retrieve a smartphone which had fallen into the footwell of the car.

The court was told that Javadpour’s continued straight when it came to a bend, went on the wrong side of the road and was in a head-on collision with Miss Goodwin’s car (Pictured: Elaine Goodwin left, with her sister Karen Kendrick)

‘This phone then rang and the witness put the device to the defendant’s ear and suggested he speak to the caller. She did not understand what was being said as the conversation was not being conducted in English but when the call ended she placed the smartphone and a Nokia phone into the defendant’s pocket.

‘Later, while at the scene a male was seen leaning in the defendant’s vehicle and subsequently when police went to search him they only found the Nokia phone.

‘The defendant later said Miss Goodwin’s car was on the wrong side of the road and he was trying to swerve away when the collision occurred but the collision scene, damage and debris entirely contradicted what he was saying.

‘He also was categoric in saying he only had the Nokia phone but call records showed the defendant was in fact using a smartphone a minute before the collision. He then must have continued using that phone in another manner such as searching the device for information in what was akin to a gross and avoidable distraction to his driving.’

In a statement Miss Goodwin’s sister Karen Kendrick said: ‘Our lives have a huge hole from where Elayne used to be and we had no time to properly grieve as we had to deal with her papers and effects at her flat.

‘Her cat cried constantly and it was such pitiful wailing as we tried to settle him but nothing worked. We tried to get him rehomed but animal shelters said he was too traumatised so we had no choice but to put him to sleep so he could be with Elaine again – another life taken too soon.

‘When we heard the last minute guilty pleas it was no more than we had come to expect from the person who had taken Elayne from us – extending our family’s pain once again. Forcing us to wait for so much time shows what complete and utter contempt and disregard he had for us.’

Elayne Goodwin (pictured right), 56, seen here with her sister Karen Kendrick, sadly died in the collision in November 2019

The court heard Javadpour had earlier this week tried to sack his lawyers and instruct new counsel in the hope of changing his plea but his request was refused.

Sentencing Judge John Potter accused Javadpour of ‘manipulating’ the court and told him: ‘Instead of concentrating on the road in front of you, you decide to concentrate on your mobile phone. This decision was reckless, crass and dangerous and had fatal consequences.

‘Miss Goodwin was driving lawfully. properly and considerately on her side of the road and taking appropriate care yet you drove your vehicle straight into hers – a head-on collision which was easily avoidable had you not taken the selfish decision to act as you did.

‘Elayne had much of her life to look forward to. She was a much-loved daughter and sister and was described as vibrant, colourful and creative. She was clearly highly talented in her area of work and gave much to others with her personality, her smile, her warmth, her laughter and her love. 

‘These proceedings will not heal the family’s pain or loss but it is hoped they will provide a modest stop to help them move forward.’

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