Nadine Samuels, whose band M.O. opened the girl group's ‘Salute’ tour in 2014, has on November 23 pleaded guilty to careless driving that led to the death of Debbie Mills.
- November 28, 2018
AceShowbiz - Up-and-coming popstar Nadine Samuels has been jailed for killing a cyclist in a road accident.
The 27-year-old, whose three-piece group joined Little Mix on their "Salute" tour in 2014, failed to stop at a roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, England in March, hitting cyclist Debbie Mills, 54, who died in hospital from brain injuries.
She pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, November 23 and was jailed for eight months.
Judge Michael Kay said he was handing down a custodial sentence even though the singer had shown remorse by writing a letter to the victim's family because she had failed to heed "warning signs" of danger, a course of action which had "terrible consequences".
He added: "There is nothing I can say or do that can restore a life to a bereaved family",
In addition to her jail sentence Samuels has been disqualified from driving for two years and four months.
A 2014 investigation by London's Evening Standard newspaper found that only one in ten drivers who caused the death of a cyclist received a jail sentence, however, in 2016 government ministers announced plans for tougher punishments for careless drivers who kill.
Her band M.O. enjoyed their biggest chart hit to date earlier this year when their single "Bad Vibe" reached number 18 in the U.K. They have also received two MOBO Awards nominations, for Best Newcomer in 2014, and for Best Song two years later.
