A judge has delivered a scathing condemnation of character testimonials submitted in defence of a driver convicted of causing a fatal collision. The letters, described as 'nauseating', were written by the offender's partner and a mosque imam in an attempt to mitigate his actions.
Fatal Incident on Aston Expressway
Saqlane Zafar, aged 28 from Saltley, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for causing the death of 21-year-old student Ryan Sandhu. The tragic incident occurred on the Aston Expressway in the early hours of June 2, 2024.
Zafar had been consuming alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide before driving a high-powered Audi SQ7 at excessive speeds. He collided with the rear of Mr Sandhu's Ford Fiesta while travelling at 91mph, resulting in fatal consequences.
Attempted Evasion and Subsequent Convictions
Following the collision, Zafar fled the scene with assistance from his friend Muhammad Hamza, aged 29 from Sparkbrook. Hamza collected Zafar nearby and subsequently engaged in a dangerous high-speed pursuit with police officers.
Zafar eventually admitted causing death by dangerous driving on the first day of his trial in August, more than a year after the incident. Hamza maintained his innocence but was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving.
Judicial Criticism of Defence Submissions
During sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on January 23, Judge Peter Cooke expressed strong disapproval of character references submitted on behalf of both defendants. The judge specifically highlighted letters from a mosque imam and Zafar's partner.
The imam's letter claimed Zafar had been 'burdened by guilt', while his partner's reference stated he felt 'deeply remorseful' since the day of the incident. Judge Cooke dismissed these assertions, questioning their sincerity given Zafar's initial protestations of innocence.
Questioning of Remorse and Integrity
Judge Cooke pointed out that genuine remorse would have prompted an immediate admission of guilt rather than a delayed plea when faced with overwhelming evidence. The judge similarly criticised a letter from Hamza's wife, which claimed the incident had 'weighed heavy on him' and described him as someone who 'cares deeply for others'.
'Really?' questioned Judge Cooke, reminding the court that Hamza had 'told a pack of lies' to the jury during proceedings. The judge acknowledged Hamza's status as a 'hard-working' family man but noted he had 'demons' related to alcohol and violence.
Background to the Tragedy
Ryan Sandhu, a Staffordshire University student, had been celebrating a friend's birthday before the collision. He was travelling back to his family ahead of his late uncle's funeral scheduled for the following day.
CCTV evidence presented in court showed Zafar narrowly missing a road worker and almost colliding with another vehicle head-on before the fatal impact. Judge Cooke concluded that Zafar had rented the powerful vehicle deliberately to put it 'through its paces' and 'race the clock'.
Sentencing Outcomes
Zafar received a 15-year prison sentence alongside a driving ban of equivalent duration. He wrote a letter to Mr Sandhu's family expressing being 'deeply sorry', though Judge Cooke noted this remorse came 'very late'.
Hamza was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment with a driving prohibition of five years and three months. Both men will serve substantial custodial terms for their roles in the tragic events and subsequent attempts to evade justice.
