An unrepentant driver who sped through a red light before colliding with a nine-year-old girl as she crossed the road initially blamed the youngster for the tragedy – before footage proved he had lied about his conduct.
Father-of-two Qadeer Hussain, 55, was today handed a prison sentence of eight years and four months for causing the death of Alice Williams by dangerous driving.
The youngster was on an outing to a summer fete with her mother and younger brother, Joseph, six, as they approached a crossing at Kings Cross Road in Halifax, on July 8, 2023.
But as the lights changed and other cars slowed down, Hussain accelerated by 20mph above the speed limit in a last-second attempt to run the red light.
As he did so, he failed to see the family had begun crossing the road.
Alice was in front of the others by a few steps when Hussain’s black Vauxhall Corsa, heading in the direction of the town centre, collided with her.
The young girl was taken to hospital with critical injuries and passed away a few days later.
Hussain of Essex Street, Halifax, initially attempted to minimise his offending by saying he had been driving legally and blamed the young girl for running out into the road, Halifax Examiner reported.
Unrepentant driver Qadeer Hussain, 55, initially blamed a nine-year-old girl for her death after he collided with her – before footage proved he had lied about his conduct
Alice Williams, nine, was on an outing to a summer fete with her mother and younger brother, before she was fatally hit as they approached a road crossing in Halifax, last July
As the lights changed and other cars slowed down, Hussain accelerated by 20mph above the speed limit in a last-second attempt to run the red light
But dashcam footage obtained by police showed that Hussain was driving at around 49mph when the lights for motorists had already changed to red.
James Lake for the prosecution said: ‘It is the Crown’s case that the defendant made a deliberate decision to run the red light at high speed in the belief that nobody was crossing the road.’
Hussain subsequently admitted at Bradford Crown Court in February to causing the death by dangerous driving.
Alice’s mother Claire told him in court that his ‘aggressive and monstrous’ act had meant she would ‘never be whole again.’
An impact statement from Alice’s younger brother, Joe, described Hussain as ‘mean’ and ‘bad’. He said: ‘If drivers speed they are mean and bad because they know they shouldn’t do it – it makes me feel very sad.’
On Friday he was handed his hefty prison term, as well as being disqualified from driving for 10 years and two months.
In a statement, Alice’s family said: ‘Qadeer Hussain destroyed our daughter Alice and devastated us.
‘We want drivers to look at Alice and think about what can happen when they take risks and drive too fast. We assume that her killer regrets his actions today.
Alice’s mother Claire told him in court that his ‘aggressive and monstrous’ act had meant she would ‘never be whole again.’
Dashcam footage obtained by police showed that Hussain was driving at around 49mph when the lights for motorists had already changed to red
Hussain was handed his hefty prison term, as well as being disqualified from driving for 10 years and two months
‘We are very grateful to all the people who have helped us – the medical staff who tried to save her, the charities who have supported us, the police and witnesses.
‘Their videos proved what he did and we urge anyone who can to please buy a dashcam.
‘Lastly, we want our wonderful girl to be known for more than just her tragic, needless death.
‘Alice was ours – a happy, bright bookworm; a funny, loving and gentle daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend. We will always be so proud of her.’
Detective Sergeant Steve Suggitt of the Major Collision Enquiry Team said: ‘Today’s sentence will not bring Alice back to her family, but I hope it provides a level of closure that Hussain has been prosecuted for his actions.
‘This was a truly tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Alice’s family and those affected by what happened.
‘We would like to thank everyone who assisted with our enquiries, including those who provided dash cam footage.
‘This footage was crucial for the investigation team in understanding the movements of the vehicle in the moments leading up to the collision, which helped in securing the charge against Hussain.
‘We would also like to thank those who came to Alice’s aid immediately after the collision and we hope that this incident acts as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences families can be left to face and for the need to stay safe on the roads.’
