Woman whose unsafe driving killed elderly friend is sentenced

AN elderly woman died after becoming "trapped" under a family friend’s car as she performed an “unsafe” manoeuvre.

- By SOPHIE CORCORAN

Fatima Begum, 86, died after being hit by the car being driven by Raheela Sajid in Burlington Street, Halifax, on November 4, 2020. Sajid, 48, was found guilty of causing death by careless driving following a trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Sajid, of Queens Road, Halifax, appeared at the court on Thursday to be sentenced.

A victim impact statement from Fatima’s son, Zafa Iqbal, was read out to the court. It said: "Since the death of my mum, I really struggled to come to terms. Life isn’t the same without her. She was the hub of the family. I miss her guidance...

"I feel alone, empty and like I no longer have that reassurance she provided in my life. She was someone who I would know would always be there. The one to protect and stand up for me. Now she's gone and the feeling of being alone in the world is so daunting. For the first year after her death I went with my two sons to her grave every day.