Horror moment driver weaves through traffic at 123mph just before killing Hollyoaks star
This is the moment a man films himself at the wheel racing at speeds of up to 123mph moments before he killed pregnant Hollyoaks actress Frankie Jules-Hough.
AdilIqbal was more preoccupied with boasting of his high-speed exploits on social media than he was about the lives of other drivers when he careered up the M66, before ultimately killing the 38-year-old[1] and her unborn daughter Neeve.
Ms Jules-Hough was in the car with her sons Thomas, nine, and two-year-old Rocky, as well as nephew Tobias Welby when she pulled over to take a phone call on May 13.
Both Thomas and Tobias, four, were also badly injured after the car was struck by Iqbal and had to be airlifted to hospital before being placed in induced comas.
Video footage taken by Iqbal, who on Wednesday was jailed for 12 years for causing the fatal smash, shows him dart between other horrified drivers on the dual carriageway, switching lanes erratically without a shred of care for people's safety.
123mph driver who killed pregnant Hollyoaks star in crash while filming on phone jailed[2]
Iqbal's shameful display was described as one of the worst cases seen of dangerous driving (
Greater Manchester Police)
Iqbal pleaded guilty (
William Lailey / SWNS)
The clip, released by Greater Manchester Police[3], shows what one lawyer branded "one of the worst examples of dangerous driving I have witnessed in my 27-year career".
Prosecutor Rob Hall told Manchester Minshull Street Crown court Iqbal had filmed himself with the possible intention of posting it on Facebook[4] after an earlier clip he posted on the site in 2021 showed him a Lamborghini in Dubai.
Two months before the deadly crash in his father's BMW, he was given a warning by police after being stopped while racing an Audi car on public roads.
Witnesses on the road near Bury, Greater Manchester, that day told the court Iqbal's driving was an "accident waiting to happen" as he screamed past them audaciously, coming within inches of one woman causing her to scream out in terror.
Harrowing evidence heard in court meanwhile revealed how Ms Jules Hough had pulled over in a lay-by to make a quick phone call to son Thomas's father, Tom Spencer, saying she would be late.
Frankie pictured with son Tommy, nine, and nephew Tobias, four. Her other son Rocky was also hurt (
PA)
Mr Spencer heard her saying, "hi Tom" before she made a blood-curdling scream, then heard the impact of the crash. The next person he heard speak was another voice saying, "we're not supposed to move bodies".
Horrified Mr Spencer rushed to the scene to find the mangled car wreck, finding his son "limp and lifeless" as he reassured him: "Daddy is here, mate. Please come back to me."
Calvin Buckley, Ms Jules-Hough's partner and father of baby Neeve, also made his way to the scene where his girlfriend was laying unconscious.
Iqbal, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to two crimes of causing death and of serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for 14 years.
Lawyers for Ms Jules-Hough's described the 12 year sentence as "insulting" and "an injustice" to the injuries little Tobias sustained.
Frank Hough, Ms Jules-Hough's father, said his family has been devastated "all because a young man wanted to show off, wanted to show his friends on social media how daring and cool he thought he was. Our worlds have been torn apart and for what? So this boy could try to make himself feel like a big man."
Franke was described as a 'shining light' by her family (
MEN Media)
Rose Gibson-Harper for the family said: “Today’s 12-year sentence is insulting and an injustice to the catastrophic injuries little Tobias sustained, and the life sentence Mrs Hough’s family were needlessly handed following her and her unborn daughter’s death due to an act of sheer stupidity.
“Last year, judges were given the power to hand down greater sentences to those convicted of death by dangerous driving – previously, the maximum tariff was 14 years but it was increased to life imprisonment.
“This case stands as one of the worst examples of dangerous driving I have witnessed in my 27-year career as a catastrophic injury lawyer, and we expected the justice system to fulfil its duty and utilise its new-found powers.
“It is important to emphasise that dangerous driving is not a game. It has real and devastating consequences, and we must collectively work towards creating a society that values responsible driving and prioritises the safety of all road users. We urge everyone to reflect upon this tragic incident, which should serve as a wake-up call for humanity.”
Frankie starred as Jess Holt in the Channel 4[5] soap Hollyoaks from 2000 to 2001 and went on to other roles in Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is and Wire in the Blood.
A GoFundMe page[6] set up to support the family has so far managed to raise £53,000.
References
- ^ killing the 38-year-old (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ 123mph driver who killed pregnant Hollyoaks star in crash while filming on phone jailed (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Facebook (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Channel 4 (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com)