Road racer jailed for 13 years over women's deaths

A driver who killed a mother and her daughter in a head-on crash while racing in a 30mph zone has been jailed.

Mohammed Ibrahim, 25, reached speeds of up to 84mph (135 km/h) in his black BMW 4 Series before he struck two vehicles in Birmingham on 26 December 2023.

He first hit a quad bike, then lost control and hit a blue MG ZS car carrying a family of four generations - killing Linda Philips, 72, and 49-year-old Amanda Riley.

Ibrahim, of Old College Road in Sheldon, was sentenced to 13 years and three months in prison at Birmingham Crown Court.

At a previous hearing, he had pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard how a family Boxing Day celebration turned into a nightmare as the family set off home just before 20:00 GMT.

As they approached the junction of Kitts Green Road and Mackadown Lane, they were hit head-on by the BMW which was being driven at "significant speed", prosecutor Philip Volans told the court.

Ibrahim, then aged 23, appeared to be racing another BMW for about half a mile and is believed to have been travelling at 80 to 84mph.

Coming up to the Meadway East traffic lights, he drove in the right-hand lane and struck a quad bike, which had jumped a red light.

The BMW lost control and struck the MG car on the other side of the carriageway "with such extreme force it spun and burst into flames," Judge Paul Farrer KC said.

A member of the public, Stuart Bates, rushed over to rescue the car's occupants and reportedly saw Ibrahim lying on the ground saying: "I need to go, I need to go."

The court heard the defendant left the scene with another unknown man and was later spotted on CCTV attending Heartlands Hospital where he was treated for leg injuries.

The BMW also caught fire leaving "both cars completely destroyed", the prosecution said.

Ibrahim returned to the scene more than an hour later where he was arrested but refused to give a breath and blood sample to test for alcohol.

The prosecution told the court that he claimed to have no memory of the crash.

Both Mrs Philips and Ms Riley died from significant chest and abdominal injuries and multiple limb fractures.

Three other family members from the car suffered serious injuries, while a three-year-old was also hurt.

While reading her victim impact statement, Amanda Riley's daughter Laura said: "My life was torn apart, I lost my mum and nan. I remember the whole thing, it's like a nightmare I can't wake up from."

She told the court that a member of the public used scissors to cut the seatbelt to help her escape the burning car.

George Philips, who was also in the car at the time of the crash described his wife Linda as his "best friend and soulmate".

"Christmas can never be the same, a day that should be spent celebrating, now it's the anniversary of the worst day of our lives."

Defence barrister Jasvir Mann argued the actions of the quad bike contributed to the fatal crash.

He told the court that Ibrahim had no criminal history and had "led a thoroughly positive life."

The driver of the quad bike, believed to be a man in his 30s, left the scene and he has never been identified.

Handing out the sentence Judge Paul Farrer KC called him "grossly irresponsible" and said "the harm you caused is incalculable."

He added: "You are dangerous but you are young and with youth comes the capacity for change."

Ibrahim was also been disqualified from driving for 18 years and 9 months.

The judge ordered that Mr Bates should receive £300 from the public purse for his bravery when he came across the scene.

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