Brixton Hill hit-and-run killer branded “coward” by mother of university student for failing to face her in court

By Rachael Burford, Local Democracy Reporter

The mother of a university student who died in a hit-and-run crash during a police chase has branded her daughter’s killer “cowardly” for refusing to face her in court.

Quincy Anyiam, 27, was jailed for seven years and banned from driving for 11 years at the Old Bailey for mowing down Anisha Vidal-Garner, 20, in Brixton Hill in February.

Anyiam, the son of a barrister, refused to appear at court for his sentencing, citing “psychological reasons”.

He had been driving his black Mercedes at speeds in excess of 60mph in a 30mph zone, skipping red lights, overtaking and undertaking vehicles and driving on the wrong side of the road before he struck Miss Vidal-Garner.

The police pursuit began when he sped away from officers who signalled for him to stop.

Miss Vidal-Garner, who was on the way to a concert with her boyfriend, was thrown into the air “like a rag doll,” the court heard.

Anyiam then failed to stop.

Miss Vidal-Garner’s mother Mandy Garner, from Epping, said: “I’m disappointed that he didn’t show up to court.

“I wanted him to hear what we had to say. I wanted him to hear about Anisha, who she was and what a beautiful, intelligent, amazing person she was.

“He says he was too traumatised to turn up but I don’t think that is the case. He offered to join by video link. It was cowardly not to come to court.

“He had repeatedly delayed his sentencing by not appearing and it has dragged out the ordeal.”

Anyiam, from Surrey, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop and dangerous driving and received a third off his sentence for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.

The court heard he had 10 previous convictions for 22 offences, including being disqualified from driving for 14 months in 2016.

Pictured top: Brixton Hill