Three-year-old girl killed by driver who consumed '20 lines of cocaine', court told

A van driver consumed "at least 20 lines of cocaine" before he struck a tram and then collided with a three-year-old girl walking with her parents, a court has heard.

- KIM PILLING

Louisa Palmisano, known as Lulu, died in hospital from her injuries after she was struck on the pavement while walking with her parents on a family trip to Manchester on 22 February.

Rawal Rehman left the scene of the collision in Mosley Street at about 10am but was later arrested.

Rehman, aged 35, of Lambton Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving in his Mercedes Sprinter van.

Prosecutor Rachel Shenton told the court that Rehman had visited two massage parlours in the city in the early hours of 22 February.

She added the defendant had taken “at least 20 lines of cocaine” in seven hours.