Teen jailed for tot's death crash

A teenager who killed a toddler when he lost control of his high-performance hire car has been jailed.

Imaan Saleem, aged 18 months, was being carried by her mother Rabeena Kausar, 33, when Sadaquat Hussain, 18, hit them in Dunstable Road, Luton, Beds.

Luton Crown Court heard Mrs Kausar and Imaan's aunt, Yasmeen Kausar, 26, were also seriously injured.

Hussain, of Claremont Road, Luton, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, was jailed for 42 months.

This sentence has to deter other drivers from driving in a dangerous manner Judge Gareth Davies

The court heard he was travelling at up to 60mph in a 30mph zone, overtaking three vehicles in the Subaru Impreza when he was faced with an oncoming car.

He swerved to your nearside, mounted the pavement and hit the family.

Yasmeen Kausar's four-year-old son Saif, who was walking ahead of the rest of the family, escaped with minor injuries.

Hussain, now 18 but 17 at the time of Imaan's death, also admitted having no insurance and failing to stop.

He had handed himself into Luton police station, three hours after the crash. The Subaru had been hired by an older family member.

Defence barrister Stella Reynolds said Hussain had genuine heart-felt remorse and "on many occasions would have given his own life in exchange for Imaan's".

Judge Gareth Davies said: "This again is a case that demonstrates that cars are lethal weapons when not driven properly.

"This sentence has to deter other drivers from driving in a dangerous manner. Whatever happens in court will not bring back that child. You have caused death and distress to that family."