Bhupinder Singh pleads not guilty to causing Christine Sandford’s death by dangerous driving

A muscle car driver accused of killing a suburban mother while driving dangerously at extreme speeds has told a court he isn’t responsible for her death.

Bhupinder Singh outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where he is charged with causing the death of Christine Sandford by dangerous driving. Picture: Sean Fewster

A muscle car driver accused of killing a suburban mother while driving dangerously at extreme speeds has told a court he isn’t responsible for her death.

On Thursday, Bhupinder Singh pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated causing death by dangerous driving.

SA Police previously alleged Mr Singh, 22, of Ottoway, was travelling at an extreme speed in his Ford Mustang when he T-boned Christine Sandford, 40, in Windsor Gardens at 10pm on March 18 last year.

Ms Sandford was captured on CCTV not long before her death saying she was “just going to the servo to get some oil because I need it for food.”

Christine Sandford, 40, was killed leaving a service station on North East Rd. Picture: Facebook

It is alleged the incident happened when she later left the service station on North East Rd just minutes away from her home.

She died at the scene.

Following the crash, Mr Singh was also charged with one count of aggravated driving at extreme speed – a charge that was then withdrawn by prosecutors.

“The second count was withdrawn on September 2, 2023, with count one the only charge proceeded with,” a prosecutor told the court on Thursday.

Despite the charge withdrawal, it is understood that prosecutors will still allege he was driving at a considerable speed, but that would be a factor included in the causing death by dangerous driving charge.

In the dock on Thursday afternoon, Mr Singh was silent and spoke only to tell the court his plea to the charge.

“You drove a vehicle in negligent manner or recklessly or at a speed or in a manner that is dangerous to a person, and by that conduct caused the death of a person,” Magistrate Roderick Jensen said.

“How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” replied Mr Singh.

James Caldicott, for Mr Singh, said his client conceded there was a case to answer, and Mr Jensen committed the matter to the District Court.

Outside court, Mr Singh, with friends by his side, refused to comment on the allegations.

He will face court again in April.