
'Drug dealer' killed mum-of-one after knocking her off e-bike with Land Rover
A driver has been found not guilty of murder after he hit and killed a woman and seriously injured her partner with his car.
Keaton Muldoon hit 25-year-old Alana Armstrong and Jordan Newton-Kay with his Land Rover Discovery on a country lane in Pleasley, Derbyshire.
The couple were riding on an electric motorbike together last November 26. Alana, a 25-year-old mum of one, died at the scene while her partner Jordan had his right leg amputated 15cm above the knee after the crash.
Muldoon, 23, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving before his trial began.
Muldoon, who the court heard was a drug dealer, told the jury he 'did not know' he had hit anyone with his car. He said he thought he'd overtaken Mr Newton-Kay's e-bike at a passing point.
The prosecution claimed Muldoon 'pursued' the couple, as well as another electric bike ridden by one of Mr Newton-Kay's friends, after they stopped near his 4×4 in a lay-by.
CCTV showed the Land Rover following both e-bikes before ramming into one of the bikes and driving away without stopping.
But following a trial at Derby crown court he was found not guilty of murder and of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He also admitted lying to police, saying his uncle was in possession of the Land Rover at the time of the crash because he was 'scared' about the murder investigation.
Muldoon had only recently become a father at the time of the crash and told the court: 'My head was all over, I didn't know what to think.
'I knew I wasn't going to see my children for a bit. I just had a newborn baby. I promised I would always be there.'
A sentencing date for Muldoon has not yet been set.
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Constable Stevie Barker said: 'Alana was just 25 when she died, leaving her son without his mum, and her family grieving the loss of a young woman who had so much life ahead of her. More Trending
'The consequences of Muldoon's behaviour on that night have led to the death of Alana and a lifetime of grief for her family. In addition, Jordan, the rider of the bike, also suffered life-changing injuries.
'He then didn't even have the decency to admit what he had done in interview, instead trying to put the blame on someone else. It was months later before he accepted that he was the driver of the vehicle.
'My thoughts – and those of all of the officers involved in this tragic case- remain with the families of Alana and Jordan.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: 'I beat the system and proved I didn't need a TV licence'
MORE: 'Swan Whisperer' banned from Hyde Park after residents objected to him kissing the birds
MORE: Man found 'tortured' to death in home was bound by ankles, court hears

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
'Drug dealer' killed mum-of-one after knocking her off e-bike with Land Rover
A driver has been found not guilty of murder after he hit and killed a woman and seriously injured her partner with his car. Keaton Muldoon hit 25-year-old Alana Armstrong and Jordan Newton-Kay with his Land Rover Discovery on a country lane in Pleasley, Derbyshire. The couple were riding on an electric motorbike together last November 26. Alana, a 25-year-old mum of one, died at the scene while her partner Jordan had his right leg amputated 15cm above the knee after the crash. Muldoon, 23, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving before his trial began. Muldoon, who the court heard was a drug dealer, told the jury he 'did not know' he had hit anyone with his car. He said he thought he'd overtaken Mr Newton-Kay's e-bike at a passing point. The prosecution claimed Muldoon 'pursued' the couple, as well as another electric bike ridden by one of Mr Newton-Kay's friends, after they stopped near his 4×4 in a lay-by. CCTV showed the Land Rover following both e-bikes before ramming into one of the bikes and driving away without stopping. But following a trial at Derby crown court he was found not guilty of murder and of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He also admitted lying to police, saying his uncle was in possession of the Land Rover at the time of the crash because he was 'scared' about the murder investigation. Muldoon had only recently become a father at the time of the crash and told the court: 'My head was all over, I didn't know what to think. 'I knew I wasn't going to see my children for a bit. I just had a newborn baby. I promised I would always be there.' A sentencing date for Muldoon has not yet been set. Speaking after the verdict, Detective Constable Stevie Barker said: 'Alana was just 25 when she died, leaving her son without his mum, and her family grieving the loss of a young woman who had so much life ahead of her. More Trending 'The consequences of Muldoon's behaviour on that night have led to the death of Alana and a lifetime of grief for her family. In addition, Jordan, the rider of the bike, also suffered life-changing injuries. 'He then didn't even have the decency to admit what he had done in interview, instead trying to put the blame on someone else. It was months later before he accepted that he was the driver of the vehicle. 'My thoughts – and those of all of the officers involved in this tragic case- remain with the families of Alana and Jordan.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'I beat the system and proved I didn't need a TV licence' MORE: 'Swan Whisperer' banned from Hyde Park after residents objected to him kissing the birds MORE: Man found 'tortured' to death in home was bound by ankles, court hears


Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Neighbour 'killed couple on nudist ranch after being humiliated with a hot dog'
A man accused of murdering his neighbours at a nudist resort amid a decade-long feud snapped over a hot dog, a court has heard. Michael Royce Sparks, 62, is said to have bludgeoned Daniel Menard, 79, and his wife Stephanie, 73, at Olive Dell Ranch in Southern California last August. The couple's bodies were found in bags in a concrete bunker underneath Sparks' home five days after they were reported missing by worried friends. Authorities have not revealed a motive in the killings, but a neighbour told local media at the time that Sparks hated the Menards and that they argued over a tree between their properties. During a court hearing this week, a detective testified that Sparks had confessed to the killings to another inmate. Redlands police detective Thomas Williams told the court Sparks said he was driven over the edge after feeling humiliated when Mr Menard gave him a hot dog. 'He said Mr. Sparks felt that the hot dog was a jab at him, making him feel like he was worth only a dollar hot dog, and that's what set him off that day,' Mr Williams said. The court heard he also sent a text message to a friend asking about the search for the Menards after seeing it on the news: 'Chopped up my neighbors. Didn't know I had it in me. SNAPPED.' Mr Williams said the couple were killed with a rake, a hoe and a hammer, adding that their bodies were then taken down into Sparks' concrete bunker. There, he is said to have mutilated Mr Menard's body and dismembered Mrs Menard. The prosecutor said Sparks also admitted drowning the couple's Shih Tzu, Cuddles, in a sink and throwing away her body. The couple and their dog were last seen on August 24 and reported missing to the Redlands Police Department by a worried friend. Five days after they went missing, searchers found their remains. 'Sparks) didn't like the Menards,' neighbour Tammie Wilkerson told KTTV-TV. More Trending 'He said it many times that he hated them, but I never thought he'd do something like this.' The couple's unlocked car was found near their residence in Olive Dell Ranch, and both their phones and Stephanie Menard's purse were still inside their home. Daniel Menard was described as a diabetic with dementia. Olive Dell Ranch is a family, and couples-friendly nudist resort in Colton, California, that is an 'ideal spot to enjoy the nudist/naturist lifestyle whether visiting for the day or an overnight stay,' according to its website. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Sister charged with murdering film director in missing diamond Rolex case MORE: Woman, 44, stabbed to death inside shop on busy main road MORE: 'Gang of girls' attack elderly woman in park leaving her 'bleeding from the head'


Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
Suspected terrorist arrested for 'plotting attack on British military base'
A man has been arrested on suspicion of spying and preparing a terror attack against a British military base in Cyprus. The suspect is reported to be from Azerbaijan and to have links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.