Speeding taxi driver jailed for pregnant woman's death

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23384453

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A speeding unlicensed taxi driver who caused the death of a pregnant care worker in Birmingham has been jailed.

Javad Malik, 26, had been driving at speeds of up to 105mph before his car crashed into Ahtia Tabasim's vehicle in Landor Street, Saltley, in January.

Married for five months and expecting her first child, the 28-year-old died later in hospital.

Malik, of Yardley Fields Road, Yardley, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for 10 years.

Unborn child 'fully formed'

The 26-year-old was attempting to evade police before the crash.

He had under-taken other cars and driven towards oncoming traffic moments before his Renault Laguna ploughed into Mrs Tabasim's Ford Fiesta.

Following the impact, the Fiesta then veered into the path of a third vehicle.

Malik was found to have had drugs worth £12,580 on the back seat of his car.

Mrs Tabasim died from chest injuries and the court was told her unborn child "appeared to be male and was fully formed".

'Loving daughter'

Speaking after the sentencing, Mrs Tabasim's husband, Badar Zaman, paid tribute to his wife.

He said: "On the 27 January my whole world changed. I went from being the happiest person in the world to the saddest person in the world and will be for the remainder of my life.

"Tragically, my adorable wife, a loving daughter, a precious sister was taken away from us."

At Birmingham Crown Court Malik also pleaded guilty to driving with no licence or insurance, possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply, and possession of cannabis.

He was handed a seven-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving, with an additional three years to be served consecutively for the two counts of possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.