The family of a pregnant woman killed by a speeding driver have welcomed a decision to have his sentence reviewed by the Court of Appeal.
Earlier this month, our client Calvin Buckley bravely spoke to the BBC about his experience after his partner Frankie Jules-Hough and unborn daughter were killed in a road collision on the M66 in May.
Frankie was 17 weeks pregnant with baby Neeve when she was killed on the road. The driver Adil Iqbal was sentenced to 12 years in prison last month after admitting to causing death by dangerous driving and was banned from driving for 14 years.
Calvin, who is represented by Polly Herbert, Partner in Hugh James’ serious injury team based in Manchester, has welcomed the review of what he described as an ‘insulting’ sentence.
Calvin said:
“I am happy that the appeal has been accepted. This is good news and hopefully the first step towards some form of justice for Frankie and Neeve and of course an opportunity for the Court of Appeal to send a strong message to drivers like Mr Iqbal who use our roads as racetracks – this type of dangerous driving will not be tolerated and life sentencing will be used by the Courts as necessary.”
In 2022, judges were given the power to hand down greater sentences to those convicted of death by dangerous driving, from the maximum tariff of 14 years to life imprisonment. The Attorney General has decided that Iqbal’s sentence should be reviewed by the Court of Appeal.
Speaking alongside her client on the BBC Breakfast sofa earlier this month, Polly Herbert commented:
“Calvin has been very brave to tell his story, but, tragically, this isn’t an isolated case. The families I work with have been let down historically in relation to how these crimes are perceived by society; how they’re perceived by the criminal justice system and the sentencing guidelines offered by the Court. We were all hoping that this was an opportunity for the Judicial System to say this kind of crime is “real crime”, and the sentencing that was available should have been utilised in this particular case, due to the horrendous aggravating features.”
Calvin is now working alongside RoadPeace to begin campaigning for tougher sentences and to raise awareness of dangerous driving on our roads in a bid to prevent any more lives being destroyed.
He further commented:
“If people aren’t getting tough sentences they’re going to keep doing it and it’s just disappointing and insulting to the family.”
