Lawyer for family of pregnant Hollyoaks star killed in crash slams …
The family of Hollyoaks actress Frankie Julia Hough, who died in a car crash,[1] have spoken out after a BMW driver has been jailed for 12 years.
Adil Iqbal was charged with to killing Frankie, who was 18 weeks pregnant with her third child, and causing serious injury to her nine-year-old son Thomas. The TV star was travelling with her two sons, Tommy and Rocky, two, and nephew Tobias Welby, four, and were all transported to hospital via air after the crash on the M66 near Bury, Greater Manchester.
Her four-year-old nephew, Tobias, was badly hurt in the incident which took place on May 13.
Iqbal pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
After Iqbal was handed the 12 year sentence in court today, a lawyer representing Frankie’s mother and nephew Tobias Welby spoke out.
Rose Gibson-Harper, catastrophic injury partner at law firm Lime Solicitors, said: “Today’s 12-year sentence is insulting and an injustice to the catastrophic injuries little Tobias sustained, and the life sentence Mrs Hough’s family were needlessly handed following her and her unborn daughter’s death due to an act of sheer stupidity.
BMW driver who killed pregnant Hollyoaks star in horror crash is jailed for 12 years[2]
Hollyoaks actress Frankie Julia Hough died as a result of the crash (
MEN Media)
The driver of a BMW has been jailed (
MEN Media)
“Last year, judges were given the power to hand down greater sentences to those convicted of death by dangerous driving – previously, the maximum tariff was 14 years but it was increased to life imprisonment.
“This case stands as one of the worst examples of dangerous driving I have witnessed in my 27-year career as a catastrophic injury lawyer, and we expected the justice system to fulfil its duty and utilise its new-found powers.
“It is important to emphasise that dangerous driving is not a game. It has real and devastating consequences, and we must collectively work towards creating a society that values responsible driving and prioritises the safety of all road users. We urge everyone to reflect upon this tragic incident, which should serve as a wake-up call for humanity.”
Frankie was on the motorway when she had stopped on the hard-shoulder to take a call just before the tragedy. The 38-year-old died as a result of the crash.
Adil Iqbal pleaded guilty (
Facebook)
Iqbal, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire, who was driving a BMW at 123mph, was arrested at the scene. He admitted the two offences during a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court last month.
The court heard Frankie had pulled over on the hard shoulder with a tyre puncture, with her two sons and nephew in the car, and was making a call to say she would be late when she let out a “blood curdling scream”, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard.
Iqbal’s BMW 140i undertook a motorbike then swerved, over compensated and hit a crash barrier before spinning around and ploughing into Ms Jules-Hough’s Skoda Fabia at an estimated 92mph.
Ms Jules-Hough was on the phone to Thomas’ father who, along with other family, dashed to the scene of the mangled car wreck, as emergency services and air ambulances descended.
Passing sentence, Judge Maurice Greene told him: “She was killed as a result of the most indescribable reckless driving by you Adil Iqbal, leading to the devastation of a family.”
Frankie appeared on Hollyoaks from 2000 to 2001 and went on to other roles in Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is and Wire in the Blood. Her TV career was revealed after he co-star Paul Danan paid tribute on social media last month.
Paul, 44, took to Instagram[3] to share a photo of a smiling Frankie and snippets of their time together on the Channel 4[4] programme. Paul, who played Jess’ boyfriend Sol Patrick in the soap, wrote: “I just heard the most shocking upsetting news I’ve heard in such a long time.
“Another good good friend who was such a special person has sadly passed away while carrying her unborn baby and her 2 little boys and nephew who were in the car too. They had a terrible car accident.“
References
- ^ Frankie Julia Hough, who died in a car crash, (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ BMW driver who killed pregnant Hollyoaks star in horror crash is jailed for 12 years (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Instagram (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Channel 4 (www.mirror.co.uk)