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Dangerous driver who killed pregnant mum on M66 could face longer sentence
Iqbal was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 14 years
The sentence handed to a man whose dangerous driving on the M66 killed a pregnant mother and injured three young children could be extended.
Adil Iqbal, 22, filmed himself weaving in and out of traffic at speeds in excess of 100mph on the motorway before he lost control of his BMW and crashed into a Skoda, while it was parked on the hard shoulder.
Frankie Hough, 38, from Chadderton in Oldham, was in the car with her two sons, Tommy and Rocky, and her nephew Tobias on Saturday, May 13th, when Iqbal ploughed into them.
The family were rushed to hospital by air ambulance but Frankie and her unborn baby girl, named Neeve, died two days later.
Frankie’s son Tommy, aged nine, and nephew Tobias, aged four, were also ‘very seriously injured’ in the horror crash, but her two-year-old son Rocky was not seriously harmed.
Iqbal, of Hope Street Accrington, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury.
Passing sentence, the judge told Iqbal: “She [Frankie] was killed as a result of the most indescribable reckless driving by you Adil Iqbal, leading to the devastation of a family.”
Tommy and Tobias have now left hospital, where they were in critical care, but still require ongoing physiotherapy.
It has now emerged that the 12-year sentence is now being reviewed under the ‘unduly lenient scheme’, after being referred to the Attorney General’s Office by a member of the public.
The matter is now under consideration but no decision has yet been made. The Attorney General’s Office has 28 days from the day the sentence was passed to review the case.
A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office said: “After careful consideration, the Solicitor General has referred this case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme as he agrees that it appears unduly lenient.
“It is now for the Court to decide whether to increase the sentence.”
If it is referred, judges at the Court of Appeal may hear the case and then decide whether or not to pass a harsher sentence.
Anyone can make a referral to the Attorney General under the ULSS, and numerous people asked for this case to be reviewed.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News, Minshull Crown Court previously heard how Iqbal had his driving licence revoked back in 2020 after being found driving without insurance.
Four months after passing a re-test, he posted a Facebook video of himself driving a Lamborghini at ‘high speed’ on a public road in Dubai, using ‘hard acceleration’.
Two months prior to the fatal collision, Iqbal was pulled by police for ‘racing’ with another car in Lancashire while driving a VW Golf.
Both drivers were warned their cars could be seized if they were pulled over again for ‘bad driving’.
When Iqbal hit Frankie’s car, he was driving at 92mph.
The maximum sentence for a defendant convicted of causing death by dangerous driving was recently increased from 14 years to life imprisonment.
News
Police issue update in search for missing grandad, 81, from Oldham
Officers are supporting Ronald’s family while they continue the search
Greater Manchester Police have issued an update on Ronald Webster, 81, who went missing from Oldham last Thursday.
The news comes after Ronald’s grandchildren made an appeal to the public asking for help to find their beloved grandad and to ‘keep him safe’ until they, or the police can get there.
It was believed the last sightings of the grandfather-of-five were at 10.52 am on Walkers Road, in Limeside, Oldham and again at 3.45pm as he got off the 184 at Huddersfield Bus Station, on September 14th.
However, police have confirmed a new sighting of the pensioner, known by loved ones as ‘Ronnie’, just minutes later at 3.53pm, as he entered Huddersfield Train Station.
It is believed he may have links to the Bridlington, Whitby and Scarborough areas, although officers have said they are ‘not ruling out that he may have travelled elsewhere’.
Ronald’s family shared that he had recently undergone a triple heart bypass and had medication for his heart and for epilepsy, but that he had not taken any of his medicine with him when he went missing.
His grandchildren said that this is the first time he has not come home.
At the time of his disappearance, Ronald was wearing a blue and black coat with grey trousers.
He is described as 4’11 ins with grey hair around the sides, bald on top, and uses a walking stick.
In an update, a spokesperson for GMP said: “Since Ronald was reported missing, officers have been working closely with his loved ones to understand where he might have travelled to.
“It is believed he may have links to Bridlington, Whitby and Scarborough, although officers are not ruling out that he may have travelled elsewhere.
“Whilst officers are continuing to review CCTV from locations of significance, they are also working with colleagues from other forces to ensure everyone is on the lookout for Ronald so we can help him return to his family safe and well.”
Anyone with information about Ronald’s whereabouts should call 101 quoting 1013 of 16/09/2023.
News
H&M Home is opening in Manchester city centre this weekend
The first 100 members in the queue will receive a free H&M Home gift
At long last, H&M Home is opening up a store selling its interiors range in the city centre.
Shoppers were delighted when the Swedish fashion retailer, full name Hennes & Mauritz, decided to branch out and launch a homeware range in 2009, following in the footsteps of the likes of Zara.
At first, it teased us with a small concession in Selfridges at the Trafford Centre back in 2015, where shoppers and home decor enthusiasts could find affordable pieces that looked as good as those sitting on their Pinterest boards.
But then it closed for a long while and for many shoppers, it left a void that couldn’t be filled, with its home stuff only being available online. No more could you wander into the shop, pick up cute pieces and admire stylish bedding sets to decorate your home.
Recently, it opened up a H&M Home shop within the Trafford Centre which sells everything from cushions to lamps, candles, vases, bed linen, towels, dried flowers and a whole selection of homeware accessories you didn’t even know you needed.
And now a H&M Home shop is coming to the city centre too.
The retailer recently closed the majority of its Market Street store while it undergoes a refurbishment, leaving just a small section open for fans to continue to shop at the high street favourite.
This week, H&M announced that the small section will now become its H&M Home showroom so decor lovers can ‘scratch that interior design itch’ once again.
In a newsletter distributed to its members, H&M said: “You may have seen that our Market Street store is temporarily closed whilst we work on our new look and feel.
“But from 23rd September, you can head down to our H&M HOME showroom in the same location where you can scratch that interior design itch by shopping our latest home decor collection.
“The first 100 members in the queue will receive a free H&M HOME gift and an exclusive offer for the full launch in winter 2023.
“There’s even some exciting new AR technology to help you visualise your living space and enhance your shopping experience just that little bit more.
“If you’re looking for the rest of our assortment, you can find your nearest store in the Trafford Centre and we’re always open at hm.com.”
The H&M Home showroom located on Market Street will open this Saturday, September 23rd. The shop will fully launch in winter this year.
News
Grandkids of 81-year-old man missing since last Thursday urge public to help find him
‘We love you. We miss you. Grandma needs you, we all need you’
The grandchildren of a missing elderly man from Oldham have urged the public to help search for him.
Ronald Webster, known as ‘Ronnie’ by loved ones, has been missing since last Thursday, September 14th.
The 81-year-old grandfather-of-five was last seen at around 10.52am on Walkers Road, in Limeside, Oldham before getting off the 184 bus at 3.45pm at Huddersfield Bus Station.
Ronald is described as a white male of small build, around 4’11″, grey hair and uses a walking stick. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a black and blue coat with grey trousers.
Ronnie’s granddaughter Paige Tattersall has been spreading the word of her grandfather’s disappearance across social media in an effort to find him.
She told ITV News: “We’re just getting desperate. Grandma’s absolutely beside herself. She keeps trying to get her shoes on to go find him because she doesn’t understand why he’s not come home.”
Ronnie and his wife, Concepta, have been married for 57 years.
His eldest grandson Kieran Rowlett said he was ‘really, really worried’ about him and that this was the first time he’s gone missing.
“He’s gone for a bit of a wander before, but he has gone and come back,” he said.
“Mentally, he’s brilliant, he can tell you stories from all over the show, but he’s just unable to get about like he used to.”
Ronnie has recently undergone a triple heart bypass, and has prescription medication for that as well as for epilepsy. When he disappeared last week, he did not take any of his medication with him.
Local communities have been showing their support for the family by sharing social media posts and putting up posters around their areas.
Paige said: “People have been so kind. Absolute strangers are approaching us online. They’re out on the streets putting up posters… We appreciate that so much. It only takes one pair of eyes to see him.”
Another of Ronnie’s grandchildren has travelled to Huddersfield where he is leading the search for him.
Ronnie’s family have asked for anyone who knows where he is to look after him until help arrives.
Kieran said: “If anyone does see him, don’t let him leave your sight. Keep him safe, and either the police or us will get there.”
When asked what she would like to say to her grandfather, Paige said: “We love you. We miss you. Grandma needs you, we all need you. If you can just get to a phone, if you can just ring 101 and someone will come and get you.”
Greater Manchester Police have issued a photo of Ronnie captured on CCTV as he was leaving the bus. His family have also released pictures of him in a bid to help bring him home.
Anyone who has seen Ronnie or who may know of his whereabouts is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting 1013 of 16/09/2023.
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Police issue update in search for missing grandad, 81, from Oldham
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