Dangerous driver admits to killing teenager

Sophie Geddes was 16 at the time of her death

A man has pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving after killing a teenager with his car in 2020.

Flojan Dajti, 33, hit 16-year-old Sophie Geddes as she crossed Glasgow's Great Western Road to meet a friend.

She was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she died from her injuries the next morning.

The court heard Dajti was driving at an "excessive speed" when he hit Miss Geddes.

Dajti was driving at an "excessive speed" when he hit Miss Geddes

Dajiti was due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow until he pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving.

He had been on bail but was remanded in custody by Judge Simon Collins KC to await sentencing on 30 November.

Dajti, originally from Albania, had only been living in Scotland since October 2019.

He held a full driving licence from Albania but it was only valid for 12 months in the UK, expiring a few weeks before he killed Miss Geddes.

The court heard that Miss Geddes, from the Knightswood area of Glasgow, had been on the road for "more than four seconds" when she was hit.

Prosecutor Alex Sutherland said Dajti had an "extensive" view of the road and "ought to have seen her".

Dajti, who had been living in the Scotstoun area of Glasgow, was described by an eye witness as "hammering" down the road in his Ford Focus before hitting Miss Geddes.

She suffered "multiple injuries" including fractures to her skull and pelvis.

'Absolutely devastated'

The prosecution said that Dajti did not attempt to brake, sound his horn or take other evasive action in time.

The court heard that he was driving at 37mph to 50mph in a 30mph zone at the time but this could be an "under-estimate".

After killing Miss Geddes he went on to hit another car, leaving its driver hurt.

His defence KC, Jim Collins, said Dajti was very sorry for what happened.

Judge Collins told Dajti that a custodial sentence was inevitable.

Miss Geddes' headteacher Rosemary Martin said: "We are absolutely devastated.

"Sophie was more than just a pupil at our school, she was a very valued member of the community and a joy to be around."

She added that Miss Geddes was "bright, caring, loving and went out of her way to help others".

Ms Martin said she would "always have a special place in our hearts".