He killed a ‘selfless’ gran just three years ago

A driver who caused the death of the former mayoress of Bolton[1] three years ago has been locked up again after leading police on high-speed chase past the scene of fatal crash. Wasim Iqbal was jailed in June 2021[2] for causing the death of Gay Wharton. He and another driver, Assad Hussain, were racing each other at speeds of more than 80mph in a 30mph just seconds before Hussain ploughed into the grandmother-of-three on November 13, 2020.

Tragically, Mrs Wharton, described by her husband as ‘kind and selfless’, died at the scene after suffering ‘catastrophic injuries’. Iqbal, 26, was locked up for four years and eight months[3] while Hussain was jailed for seven years and four months.

Iqbal was released on licence but has now been put behind bars again after failing to stop for police in a high-speed chase in his BMW 3 series.

Officers first spotted him behind the wheel of the car in Bolton at around 8.45pm on July 5 this year, police said. The driver was flagged as being disqualified from driving. Officers in an unmarked car followed the car down Chorley New Road.

But before they used tactics to stop the car, Iqbal failed to stop and made off at high-speeds through residential streets, driving through red lights and onto the wrong side of the road. He even drove past the scene of the fatal incident that killed Mrs Wharton, 58, in 2020. The car eventually came to a stop after smashing into a bus.

Thankfully, no-one was injured.

Former Bolton Mayoress Gay Wharton (Image: MEN MEDIA)

After a short chase on foot, Iqbal was arrested for driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. On Monday (December 18), he was jailed for another four years and three months at Bolton Crown Court. Iqbal, of Chorley New Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

After his sentencing, PC Tom Berry and PC Matt Sale[6] of the Safer Roads Targeting Team said he had ‘not learnt by his mistakes’. They said: “Iqbal’s actions back in July shows that he has not learnt by his mistakes which saw him spend time in prison for causing death by dangerous driving back in 2020. During this pursuit, Iqbal even sped past the scene where he and his co-accused had caused the death of Mayoress Gay Wharton only three years prior.

“His disregard for the law and the way he drove that evening could have been fatal, thankfully that was not the case. This sentencing sees another dangerous driver off the streets, and it is another step towards making the roads of Greater Manchester a safer place to be, something that the Safer Roads Targeting Team are very passionate about.

Wasim Iqbal, left, and Assad Hussain (Image: GMP)

“We encourage the public to let us know about unlicensed and uninsured drivers like Iqbal so they can be taken off the streets and brought to justice.” At the court sentencing following Mrs Wharton’s tragic death, her husband Stephen described the pain he felt finding out his wife had been killed. “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Mr Wharton said.

“I nearly fell to the floor, my legs went to jelly. It wouldn’t register. I only spoke to her earlier, she had just popped out.”

Mrs Wharton was mayoress of the borough of Bolton alongside 2014 mayor Coun Martin Donaghy and a second mayoress Jacqueline Tracey. She was a dedicated patron of Fortalice, a Bolton-based charity providing services for people who are, or have been, affected by domestic abuse and violence. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here[7] for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

1. ^ Bolton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Wasim Iqbal was jailed in June 2021 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ for four years and eight months (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ Pensioner, 75, left waiting TWO MONTHS for heating repairs could face freezing Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Little girl fell in pond and died whilst mum and gran tended to horses instead of watching her (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Sale (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^ by clicking here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
8. ^