A financial consultant who killed a young woman after going through a red light avoided jail today. Robert Hasebe caused the crash which saw NHS radiographer Noor Court, 26, fatally struck with a signpost as she walked near Glasgow’s O2 Academy on October 6, 2021.
The 38-year-old initially claimed he had not stopped at the lights as he had been “blinded by the sun”. Hasebe was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of causing Miss Court’s death by careless driving.
The dad had earlier lodged a plea to the charge, which was rejected by the Crown, who went to trial on a charge of causing Miss Court’s death by dangerous driving.
Judge Lord Colbeck ordered Hasebe to do 300 hours of unpaid work and disqualified him from driving for four years. Hasebe was also tagged for six months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.
The judge said: “Nothing I can say or do and no sentence the court can impose can compensate for Miss Court’s death. Irrespective of what I impose today, you can move on with your life while the appalling loss of life for her family and friends will endure.
“The extent of this is measured in the victim impact statements which speak eloquently of Miss Court who was a remarkable person and is missed terribly every day. You cannot be sent to prison unless the court considers that no other method is appropriate.
“Ultimately, I am persuaded there is another way of dealing with you other than custody, but this should not detract from the gravity of your behaviour.”
Jurors heard how Hasebe had been behind the wheel of his Toyota Yaris that morning with his wife and young son in the back. They had been travelling to the city’s Glasgow Green for his son to play in the park.
It was in Eglinton Street that he failed to spot the red light, entered a junction before hitting another car. Hasebe’s Toyota then mounted the pavement, smacked into the pole which then struck Miss Court. The children’s ward worker tragically never survived despite the help of mercy crews who arrived.
Hasebe, of the city’s Priesthill, gave evidence during his trial. He accepted not stopping at the lights, but claimed he thought they were at green as he approached. Asked about what happened after the collision, he told his lawyer
Marco Guarino: “I was very panicked. I remember seeing Miss Court on the ground. It shocked me. I did not know how that was possible.”
He recalled people at the scene had accused him of “running a red light”. Hasebe said he “questioned himself”, but was positive it had been a green signal.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC later said Hasebe had “not been paying attention” while driving. Mr Prentice also questioned him on his claim to police that he had been affected by the sun that morning. He said Hasebe had stated that to “provide an excuse” for what happened.
Hasebe told the court: “I cannot say with any certainty that is what I said.”
Marco Guarino, defending, told the sentencing that his client does not intend to drive again. The lawyer added: “The impact of the incident cannot be ignored. This accident is a burden that he has to bear for the rest of his life. It bears heavily on him and his family.”
After the verdict, Mr Prentice told the court that Miss Court had been born in Israel and moved to Scotland 13 or 14 years ago. It was stated that her family lives in the Ayrshire area which includes one brother. Miss Court has two half sisters who live in the USA and London both of whom have children.
Mr Prentice added: “Miss Court was employed by the NHS as a specialist paediatric radiographer and worked at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. She was valued and loved by her family and colleagues.”
At the time of Miss Court’s death, members of her family paid tribute to her. Mum Lia Court said: “We are still in complete shock and disbelief. The fact we will never again see her is incomprehensible and so unbearable. Our Noor was a princess – named after a much beloved Queen – and the light of our family.”
Boyfriend of three years Will Little posted online how “broken” he was following the loss of his “beautiful, caring, wickedly funny partner in life”.
Sister Naga Kaplan described Noor as “absolutely perfect in every single way” and “our golden girl”.
In a statement via law firm Digby Brown Miss Court’s parents said: “Our Noor was a beautiful, intelligent and kind person adored by everyone who knew her – she is missed every day. While we welcome the conviction of the driver we are frustrated it has taken nearly three years to secure it.
“We were also angered to learn this man has apparently remained free to drive since killing Noor while having the audacity to abstain from entering a plea until the last possible moment. It is not our intention to continue from this point in anger but we feel these points need highlighted, and addressed, if other bereaved families are to be helped in the future.
“Thank you to our friends and everyone who has supported us following the loss of our beloved Noor – especially PC Willie Neil from Police Scotland for his warmth and valuable support – however we now request our privacy is respected as we look to the future.”
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