A failed asylum seeker who hit and killed a 25-year-old man with ‘the brightest future ahead of him’ has been jailed for 10 months.
Gazment Doci, 27, from Albania, was behind the wheel of a blue BMW 330 when he struck Harrison Harvey as he walked along the A179 in County Durham, on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, between Hart Village and the Raby Arms pub in Hartlepool, County Durham, shortly after 4.15pm.
But despite their best efforts, the 25-year-old tragically died at the scene.
Doci, who had entered the UK illegally, was found to have no licence or insurance to be on the roads and was arrested by police.
He appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he admitted driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without insurance.
He also admitted knowingly entering the UK without leave.
Cleveland Police today confirmed he is not under investigation for any other potential offence in connection with the collision.
Paige Sparks, prosecuting, told the court: ‘The police were contacted by members of the public following reports of a fatal collision involving a car which was driven by the defendant.
‘He was checked and had no licence or insurance.’
Police enquiries also revealed that Doci was in the UK illegally after his asylum application was refused in June 2023.
In court it emerged that a former girlfriend became pregnant and had a child by him, prompting Doci to return to Britain.
Miss Sparks said: ‘It is not apparent that he fled persecution or from danger or that he was involved in any form of coercion or pressure.’
Doci was sentenced to 10 months behind bars for the immigration offence.
He must also pay a £120 fine and £154 victim surcharge and was banned from driving for 12 months after receiving eight penalty points.
Lucy Redshaw, defending, said: ‘He accepts he returned to this country without having leave to do so.
‘The circumstances do not appear to be entirely dishonourable however.
‘I do not accept that the defendant entered the UK to commit offences.
‘My understanding is there has been a previous relationship that he had engaged with in this country and that resulted in a pregnancy.’
She added: ‘That relationship resulted in a child which is how the defendant came to return to the United Kingdom.
‘So it is not that he returned to engage in criminal action.’
The court heard Doci believed his Albanian driving licence enabled him to drive for 12 months here and that he was insured through another person.
Miss Redshaw said: ‘This is not someone who drives in circumstances where they have deliberately committed these offences.’
Doci, of Riversdale Terrace, Sunderland, is likely to be deported after serving the sentence.
Following his death, Harrison’s family paid tribute to the talented graphic designer.
They said: ‘Harrison was a beloved son, brother, and friend to many.
‘He was a bubbly, budding graphic designer with the brightest future ahead of him.
‘He is very loved and will be dearly missed.’
His sister, Chloe, also posted a message on Facebook in which she said she was ‘heartbroken’ and described her brother as ‘an absolute sunbeam’.
She wrote: ‘We are absolutely devastated and I know everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him will feel the same.
‘He is an absolute sunbeam, my favourite person in the world. He will be so missed.’
Hartlepool College of Further Education expressed ‘deep sadness’ and posted a tribute on social media to their former art and design student, adding that Harrison was ‘a recent mentor and inspiration’ to other students.
His former tutor, Lauren Morrell said: ‘Harrison was an exceptional person – talented, kind, and a true joy to know.
‘His generosity and passion for design extended beyond his own studies, as he later returned to share his expertise with our students, leaving a lasting impact on our community.
‘We are deeply saddened by his passing and will always remember him for his warmth, generosity, and the inspiration he brought to those around him.’
As a mark of respect, the college announced it would fly its flag at half-mast in tribute to Harrison’s memory.
Friends of the graphic designer – who describe him as the ‘kindest young man’ – set up a JustGiving page to raise £5,000 for his funeral.
In a statement they revealed that he was training to participate in the Great North Run to support the Alzheimer’s Society ‘due to his own personal experiences with his mother.’
It added: ‘Everyone who came into contact with him had only positive and warm experiences with him.’
At the time of publication, almost £9,000 had been raised on the page.
