A driver who filmed himself speeding at 123mph before crashing into and killing a pregnant mother-of-two has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Adil Iqbal, 22, admitted causing the death of Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, by dangerous driving on the M66 in Bury, Greater Manchester, on 13 May. He also pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to her nine-year-old son and four-year-old nephew.
The court heard that Iqbal was driving his father's BMW with one hand while holding his phone to film himself, possibly for a Facebook upload, as he tailgated, undertook other vehicles, and swerved across lanes. Ms Jules-Hough had pulled over on the hard shoulder due to a tyre puncture, with her two sons and nephew in the car. She was making a call when she let out a 'blood-curdling scream' as the BMW struck her Skoda Fabia at an estimated 92mph.
Ms Jules-Hough, who was 17 weeks pregnant with her first daughter, Neeve, suffered unsurvivable brain injuries and died two days later in hospital. Her son and nephew were left in a coma with serious brain injuries, and their long-term outcomes remain uncertain. Her youngest son was relatively unharmed. The court viewed dashcam footage and Iqbal's phone video, and heard emotional victim impact statements from relatives.
Judge Maurice Greene described Iqbal's driving as 'the most indescribable reckless driving' leading to family devastation. However, the family's solicitor, Rose Gibson-Harper, called the sentence 'insulting and an injustice', noting that judges now have the power to impose life imprisonment for death by dangerous driving. She said this case was one of the worst she had seen in 27 years and expected the justice system to use its new powers.
Iqbal had previous convictions for driving without insurance and had been warned by police two months before the crash after being stopped while racing an Audi on public roads. He also posted a video in December 2021 of himself speeding in a Lamborghini in Dubai. A GoFundMe appeal for Ms Jules-Hough's family has raised over £50,000.
