Humaira Batool, 26, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing the death of her friend, Mohammed Shaan Hussain, 20, in a 143mph Lamborghini crash. Batool, described as a compulsive liar, was driving the rented supercar in wet conditions on the M62 when it crashed through a barrier, overturned, and burst into flames.
Hussain was trapped inside the vehicle and died at the scene, while Batool escaped with serious injuries when her seatbelt melted. Initially, Batool claimed she had been asleep in the passenger seat, but CCTV evidence contradicted her statement, showing her switching places with Hussain before the crash.
She then alleged that Hussain's actions caused the car to surge forward, but a Lamborghini expert testified that such high speeds could only be achieved by the driver intentionally accelerating. Judge Ray Singh stated that Batool had "deliberately tried to blame" Hussain, who was unable to defend himself.
Batool's attempt to avoid justice extended to her sentencing hearing. She failed to appear, claiming a flare-up of endometriosis led her to seek A&E treatment. Prosecutor Christopher Dunn called this a "ruse," and the judge issued a warrant for her arrest. Apprehended at Bradford Royal Infirmary, she appeared in court on crutches, a stance the judge later deemed "unforgiveable." Evidence of social media photographs showing her wearing high heels and a ball gown in the weeks prior to her trial cast doubt on her physical limitations, which the prosecution argued was an attempt to mislead the court.
Following her conviction for causing death by dangerous driving, Batool was sentenced. The judge noted that Batool had driven at speeds over 120mph for "many miles," calling it a "tragic, entirely avoidable death." He described the catastrophic consequences, the vehicle's fiery destruction, and the valiant but ultimately unsuccessful rescue attempts by civilians and emergency workers.
Mr. Hussain's mother, Nasreen Akhtar, read a statement expressing the family's pain, stating they had to defend their son's name instead of mourning him. She asserted that Hussain was "kind" and "careful" and "loved beyond measure."
The court heard that Batool had a history of driving offenses, including a previous license revocation for driving without insurance and advice not to drive due to black-outs. She received a five-year driving ban upon her release from prison.