Man who drove one-handed at 123mph before killing pregnant woman to have 'lenient' sentence reviewed

August 17, 2023

The partner of a pregnant woman killed by a driver who filmed himself going 123mph and swerving dangerously has welcomed a review into his sentence.

Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, died in a crash on the M66 in Bury after Adil Iqbal lost control of his father's BMW while recording himself with one hand.

He had been swerving between lanes, undertaking and tailgating other cars during the incident on 13 May.

Iqbal's footage shows him suddenly losing control moments before ploughing into her car at an estimated 92mph.

Prosecutors said they believed he may have filming a clip for Facebook.

Ms Jules-Hough was on the hard shoulder because she had a puncture and had her sons and nephew in the car.

The trial heard she was making a call to say would be late when she let out a "blood-curdling scream".

The mother-of-two, who was 17 weeks pregnant with her first daughter, suffered catastrophic brain injuries and never regained consciousness.

She and her unborn daughter died two days later in hospital.

One of her sons and her nephew were left in a coma with serious brain injuries and the trial in Manchester last month was told their long-term condition was uncertain.

Iqbal, 22, from Accrington in Lancashire, was jailed for 12 years and banned from driving for 14 years after admitting to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

He'd also been convicted in 2019 of driving without insurance and received a police warning two months before the crash for racing another car on public roads.

Read more:
Newgale community 'in shock' after car crashed into campsite
Boy, 12, killed in hit-and-run on M62 in West Yorkshire

Ms Jules-Hough's partner, Calvin Buckley, said the sentence would now be reviewed after their appeal was successful.

"I am happy that the appeal has been accepted," he told the BBC.

"This is good news and hopefully the first step towards some form of justice for Frankie and Neeve."

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office said: "After careful consideration, the Solicitor General has referred this case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme as he agrees that it appears unduly lenient.

"It is now for the court to decide whether to increase the sentence."

Rate this item
(0 votes)

HOW TO LISTEN

103.5 & 105.3FM

Online

Mobile Apps

Smart Speaker