Driver who killed cyclist while doing 71mph in 30mph zone jailed

A driver who was doing 71mph in a 30mph zone was jailed at Snaresbrook crown court on Monday after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. Parvez Rahman hit cyclist Ashad Ahmed in Commercial Road, Whitechapel on November 24, 2014. Police said at the time that he had been seen racing another driver along the A13 moments before the collision.

Ahmed, a supply teacher, was hit as he cycled past parked cars on his way to his parents’ house on November 24, 2014. He died two hours later in the Royal London Hospital of head and brain injuries.

Rahman drove off after the crash, abandoning his car – but handed himself in to police the following day. The court was told that he had been “driving as hard as that car could have been driven” at the time of the collision.

Ahmed’s brother, Kawsar, was unimpressed with the four year sentence given to Rahman. He told the London Evening Standard that the motorist had shown no remorse for what he had done.

“I think the system has let us down. The sentence he got didn’t compare to what he did. He’s a scumbag.

“It just seems unfair in this day and age, the law is like this when there are so many accidents like this. My parents can’t comprehend how someone will just get four years for this. I’m glad my parents didn’t go to court to see his reactions. Words can’t describe them. He was smiling as he was being led out of court. The shocking thing is he showed no remorse. This guy is inhuman.”

Paul Jackson, defending, said that this was not the case. “He knows that he will never be forgiven for causing the death of the deceased. He will never forgive himself for doing it.”

Judge Nicholas Huskinson said that had Rahman been driving within the speed limit, there would have been time for him to slow down and avoid Ahmed.

“He was a man who was married with two young children and, on the behalf of his family, there is a victim impact statement before the court that speaks in high terms about what a grievous loss his death has been to the family.

“If someone drives at 71mph in a 30mph, effectively single carriageway, there is a substantial risk of danger and indeed of death.”

As well as the four year jail sentence, Rahman was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended test when that ban expires.