Man killed young woman after driving through red light in Glasgow and striking signpost

A financial consultant killed a young woman after going through a red light and striking a sign post.

Robert Hasebe caused the crash which saw NHS radiographer Noor Court, 26, fatally struck with a sign post 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 stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He now faces a jail-term after being convicted on Thursday of causing Ms Court’s death by carless driving.

He will be sentenced next month.

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 so his son could play in the park.

It was on Eglinton Street that he failed to spot the red light, entered a junction then hit another car.

Hasebe’s Toyota then mounted the pavement and smacked into the pole which then struck Ms 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 Ms 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.”

Hasebe had initially offered to plead guilty to the charge of causing death by careless driving prior to the trial starting but went to trial on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing for reports. Hasebe was bailed and banned from the road meantime.

Noor Court. Family handout via Digby Brown

After the verdict, Mr Prentice told the court that Ms Court had been born in Israel and moved to Scotland 13 or 14 years ago. Her family lives in the Ayrshire area.

Mr Prentice added: “Ms 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 Ms 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, Ms 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.”