A woman driver has been told to prepare for a lengthy prison sentence after admitting responsibility for the death of a cyclist in London while impaired by nitrous oxide and travelling at more than twice the permitted speed.

The 27-year-old defendant, Tiffany Treanor-Johnson, entered her guilty plea at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, April 29, to causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the fatal collision involving 27-year-old music student Harry Webb.

Mrs Justice Rosa Dean ordered immediate custody for Treanor-Johnson, who appeared distressed in the dock, expressing significant doubts regarding her likelihood of attending the scheduled sentencing hearing.

Addressing the defendant, a Hackney resident who was 24 at the time of the incident, the judge observed that she appeared to have delayed accepting responsibility, waiting until the trial date to concede she had no viable defence and acknowledge her guilt. The judge stated that a substantial custodial sentence awaited her and that there appeared considerable danger that, were bail granted, she would again evade accountability. The judge expressed serious concerns that she would fail to attend.

Webb’s death occurred alongside several other cycling fatalities in east London within a brief period. The matter subsequently drew attention as one of numerous court cases experiencing considerable backlogs.

Outside the courtroom, Webb’s mother and father, Pat and Mike Webb from Crickhowell, Wales, said they had endured an extensive wait for justice. They stated that deaths on roads demand serious treatment and that motorists need to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians, with individuals being answerable when operating vehicles. They described Harry as an exceptionally kind, thoughtful person who bore no blame and said they had received a life sentence.

The collision occurred on Kenworthy Road, Hackney, a street notorious for accidents and near-misses, at approximately 7:40pm on September 10, 2023.

Webb, a 27-year-old music student at the London College of Contemporary Music, had been heading toward London Fields Lido for an evening swim.

He died in hospital two days later from his critical injuries.

He possessed a mathematics and philosophy undergraduate degree from Bristol University and a master’s qualification in philosophy from the University of Amsterdam.

Fiona Robertson, presenting the prosecution case, told the court that the starting point for Treanor-Johnson’s imprisonment should be 12 years, though this would be shortened because of her guilty plea.

She explained that Treanor-Johnson, driving an Audi A1, was moving well beyond the legal speed, at 53mph in a 20mph zone, immediately preceding the impact.

The car mounted the kerb and continued across the carriageway.

Forensic analysis showed Treanor-Johnson had used nitrous oxide, a class C controlled drug, which would have caused some impairment to her driving capability, Robertson stated.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas and linked to anti-social conduct, became an offence to possess in 2023.

Treanor-Johnson, who arrived at court carrying two large suitcases, had previously denied the allegation roughly one year earlier.

Webb’s family were only informed of her intention to change her plea on Wednesday morning as they attended what had been expected to be an eight-day trial.

Stephanie Panchkowry, for the defence, described Treanor-Johnson as someone with no previous convictions who had experienced thoughts of self-harm. She observed that with everything happening, this had been extremely difficult for her.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Friday, May 1, Detective Inspector Mark Braithwaite from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said that Harry’s life was brutally taken by Tiffany Treanor-Johnson and that her initial decision to contest the proceedings caused his family and relatives months of unnecessary distress while preparing for the trial. He stated that this had been an extended and intricate investigation, and he was deeply grateful to his colleagues and for the patience and understanding shown by Harry’s parents. He added that his thoughts continued to be with Harry’s family, and he hoped this guilty plea offered them some solace.