The family of a beloved grandfather killed in a road traffic collision were “shocked” when the teenager behind the wheel was jailed – and then released as an appeal was lodged.
Hamza Ahmad mowed down Mohammad Uddin as the pedestrian crossed Somerville Road in Small Heath, Birmingham. The 19-year-old was driving a Toyota Aygo and speeding in the 20mph zone when he hit the 65-year-old dad of six, who died from catastrophic head injuries later in hospital. Yesterday, he was jailed for six months.
After he was led to the cells however, Mr Uddin’s family was told he was being released immediately as his lawyer confirmed he would be appealing the decision. He then successfully applied for him to keep his bail until the outcome of that hearing.
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A commemorative sign for road traffic collision victim Mr Uddin
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Image:
Birmingham Mail / Live)
Following the hearing Shahnaz Parvin told BirminghamLive: “In this country, especially for road crime, the sentence doesn’t reflect the crime. When sentences are passed they need to deter people from doing this again.
“If he gets off with a suspended sentence what does that say to the public? Run someone over, take their life and walk away. We want appropriate justice.”
Mr Uddin’s youngest son Hasan Ahmed added: “How can someone take another life so brutally and with clear self-negligence, yet be able to go home and live a normal life as if nothing happened? As if no life was lost.”
The collision happened on August 9, 2023, and graphic CCTV played to the court which prompted gasps at the moment Ahmad ploughed into Mr Uddin and sent him flying into the air. It had also shown the victim had checked in both directions and crossed the road properly prior to him being struck.
Ahmad, who remained at the scene after the collision, was travelling between 26mph and 28mph at the point of impact. Prosecutor Fumnanya Okwuashi said: “The defendant drove carelessly on the road.
“Had he been driving at a lower speed he would have seen the victim crossing the road and would have stopped in appropriate time. He would have avoided the collision entirely.”
Oliver Jarvis, defending, said Ahmad worked as a dental nurse and had never committed a crime before and previously held an ‘excellent’ driving record. He said: “He knows it’s his fault. He is trying to carry the burden of that guilt and he will have to carry it for the rest of his life. He is extremely remorseful.
“The defendant wishes he could turn back the clock but he can’t. Since that stupid moment he has done everything to demonstrate to the court this will never happen again.”
District Judge David Wain described the incident as a ‘particularly poor piece of driving’. After the six -month sentence was passed Mr Jarvis confirmed his intention to appeal it. He added the offence could fall ‘below the custody threshold’ and a term of imprisonment could be suspended in light of Ahmad’s mitigation.