A motorist who caused the death of a beloved Croydon barber in a collision described as "wholly avoidable" has been sent to prison for six years.
A Tragic Collision on Croydon Lane
David Haggard, 53, was driving along Croydon Lane in Banstead on an evening in March 2023 when he clipped the kerb three times. This loss of control caused his vehicle to drift into the path of oncoming traffic, where it smashed directly into a car driven by 76-year-old Jack Charalambous.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 6.45pm. Despite their efforts, Mr Charalambous was pronounced dead at the location of the crash. Surrey Police officers arrested Haggard at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Court Sentencing and Family Tributes
Following a nine-day trial, Haggard was found guilty. At Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, he was sentenced to six years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving. He received a concurrent three-month sentence for causing death while driving without insurance.
The judge also disqualified him from driving for a total of nine years and 11 months. During sentencing, the judge agreed that Haggard's driving was "significantly over the threshold of dangerous driving, for a significant period of time".
In a moving tribute issued after the hearing, the family of Jack Charalambous remembered him as a pillar of the local community. He had run a barber shop in Thornton Heath for four decades.
"Jack was a larger-than-life character who loved people and brought laughter to everyone he knew," his family said. "He was a true gent and a pillar of the community through his business and fundraising events."
They expressed thanks to the witnesses who stopped to help and to the court, but added: "No sentence will ever be enough for the reckless behaviour of Mr Haggard."
A Reminder of Consequences
Surrey Police stated that they hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the lifelong consequences that can result from a moment's inattention or poor judgement behind the wheel.
Investigating Officer Amilia Bishop said: "This was a wholly avoidable tragedy. My thoughts remain with Jack Charalambous' family, who have had to endure unimaginable loss as a result of this incident."
The case underscores the critical importance of:
- Maintaining proper control of a vehicle at all times.
- The legal and moral necessity of being insured to drive.
- The devastating, irreversible impact dangerous driving can have on families and communities.
