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Judge Brands Character Letters 'Nauseating' as Driver Who Killed Student on A38(M) Gets 15 Years

The judge questioned late claims of remorse following months of denials that prolonged the family’s ordeal.

Overview

  • Saqlane Zafar, 28, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to 15 years in prison for causing the death of 21-year-old student Ryan Sandhu, along with a driving disqualification.
  • Muhammad Hamza, 29, was jailed for four years and six months for dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice and received a driving ban of five years and three months.
  • Evidence presented showed Zafar drove at 91mph in a 40mph zone after inhaling nitrous oxide, smashed through roadwork cones, and fled before being detained following a police pursuit.
  • Judge Peter Cooke said Zafar had driven like a “maniac,” described the case as “about as bad as it can get” without a second victim, and condemned supportive character references as “nauseating.”
  • Sandhu’s family welcomed the sentences but called earlier not-guilty stances an insult that forced them to relive their worst moments.