Man denies he helped killer driver flee scene

DAD ALSO ACCUSED OF CRASHING INTO TREE DURING POLICE CHASE

- CARL JACKSON News Reporter

A MAN has denied helping a speeding drink-driver flee the Aston Expressway after he caused a fatal crash.

Muhammad Hamza is accused of driving Saqlane Zafar from the scene of a fatal collision on the A38(M), in which 21-year-old Ryan Sandhu was killed, shortly after midnight on June 2 last year. It is also alleged he led police on a dangerous pursuit before crashing into a lamppost.

Giving evidence at Birmingham Crown Court, Hamza denied being behind the wheel of a rented Nissan Qashqai getaway vehicle at the crucial times and, instead, shifted the blame on to others.

Zafar, 28, of Woodlands Road, Saltley, has admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

The jury has been told he was drunk, high on nitrous oxide and doing more than 80mph in a rented Audi SQ7, despite a 50mph limit, while undertaking on closed lanes of the A38(M) before shunting into the back of Mr Sandhu’s Ford Fiesta.

Hamza, 25, of Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, has pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender and dangerous driving.