Driver’s jail term bumped up over tragic crash that killed beloved grandma
A driver who ploughed into a much-loved wife, mother, and grandmother crossing the road has had his prison sentence increased following a Court of Appeal hearing.
Fatal crash on Handsworth street
Krishna Devi Droch, 62, was on her way to morning prayers in November 2017 when tragedy struck. She was crossing Rookery Road in Handsworth when a Vauxhall Zafira veered onto the wrong side of central bollards and slammed into her.
The impact hurled Krishna into railings at the pavement’s edge, fatally injuring her. She died at the scene.
Driver flees and tries to cover up
The driver didn’t stop. Two hours later, the burnt-out car was found less than two miles away. Mohammed Ishfaq, 34, of Leonard Road, Handsworth, admitted to causing Krishna’s death by dangerous driving and trying to cover up by setting the car ablaze.
Back in March, Ishfaq was jailed for six years and three months. He was banned from driving for 10 years and ordered to pass an extended driving test before getting behind the wheel again.
Sentence upped after appeal
But the Court of Appeal ruled the original sentence was too lenient. The judges said an eight-year starting point was more appropriate, then boosted the sentence to 10 years to reflect aggravating factors. After reductions for personal mitigation and his guilty plea, Ishfaq’s prison time rose to eight years on 18 May.
His driving ban was also extended to 11 years, with a mandatory extended retest still required.
Police respond to decision
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “No sentence will ever reflect the grief and hurt felt by a family. Sentencing guidelines are rightly in place and are always an emotional subject, but I am glad that the appeal judges have given consideration to all the factors in this case and have come to this conclusion.”
