Driver who killed pregnant Hollyoaks star Frankie Jules-Hough in horror motorway crash has 12-year jail term extended by three years
- Frankie Jules-Hough was killed in 123mph crash on M66 in Greater Manchester
- Driver Adil Iqbal, 22, has had sentenced raised to 15 years after leniency review
A driver who killed pregnant Hollyoaks star Frankie Jules-Hough in a motorway crash has had his 12-year term increased by three years.
The mother-of-two, 38, died after Adil Iqbal, 22, filmed himself driving at speeds of up to 123mph before losing control of his father’s BMW on the M66 in Bury, Greater Manchester, before it crashed into her Skoda Fabia on May 13.
Three appeal judges in London today increased Iqbal’s prison term from 12 to 15 years after concluding the original sentence was unduly lenient.
After his initial sentencing, Ms Jules-Hough’s family described the sentence as ‘insulting’.
Ms Jules-Hough, who was 17 weeks pregnant with her first daughter, Neeve, suffered fatal brain injuries in the crash and died two days later. The soap star’s son and nephew were also seriously injured in the collision.
Hollyoaks star Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, was killed after her car was hit by a speeding driver on the M66 near Bury, Greater Manchester
Ms Jules-Hough, 38, died following a crash after Iqbal filmed himself speeding in the vehicle before it crashed into Ms Jules-Hough’s Skoda Fabia, which had pulled over on the hard shoulder with a tyre puncture.
Three appeal judges in London today increased Adil Iqbal’s jail term to 15 years after concluding the original sentence was unduly lenient
Lord Justice Bean, Mr Justice Murray and His Honour Judge Anthony Leonard oversaw a Court of Appeal hearing in London.
Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson had argued that the sentence was unduly lenient and asked for a review. Appeal judges ruled in Mr Tomlinson’s favour.
‘This is the worst case of bad driving any of us can recall,’ Lord Justice Bean told the court.
‘We find it hard to imagine a worst case of bad driving than this one.’ He said the case was exceptional.
Ms Jules-Hough’s partner, Calvin Buckley, has also revealed today’s sentencing appeal hearing was held on the same day their daughter Neeve was due to be born.
Mr Buckley said: ‘I would like to start by thanking Hugh James law firm and Road Peace, the national charity for road crash victims, for supporting me throughout this process and their continued support.
‘Today should have been the proudest and happiest day of my life.
‘Today I should be celebrating becoming a father for the first time with my partner Frankie Julia Hough to our daughter Neeve. Today is the day Neeve was due to be born and make her making her entrance into the world.
‘Instead I am in court fighting for their justice.’
He added: ‘Neeve’s death isn’t recognised in the eyes of the law. Frankie’s family and I was shocked and saddened by this decision.
‘It was an insult to Frankie and Neeve’s memory and clearly didn’t reflect the devastation and loss caused.’
Ms Jules-Hough, 38, who had pulled on to the hard shoulder of the motorway with a puncture, had her two sons and a nephew in her car, judges heard.
She was making a call to say she would be late when she let out a ‘blood-curdling scream’, they were told.
Ms Jules-Hough, who was 17 weeks pregnant, suffered unsurvivable brain injuries, the court heard. She died two days later without regaining consciousness and her unborn daughter could not survive.
Her son, Thomas Spencer, nine, and nephew Tobias Welby suffered serious brain injuries and their long-term outcomes remain uncertain, judges heard.
Both youngsters spent weeks in intensive care. Her other son was not badly hurt.
Iqbal, from Accrington, Lancashire, who worked in a gym and coached boxing to ‘disadvantaged’ children, had admitted causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He had been sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester in July where Judge Maurice Greene jailed him for 12 years and described the ‘most indescribable reckless driving’.
Adil Iqbal, 22, was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to causing death by dangerous driving
Iqbal lost control of his father’s BMW while filming himself speeding at 123mph on the M66
Frankie Jules-Hough played Jess Holt in the TV soap opera Hollyoaks in the early-2000s
The judge had banned Iqbal from driving for 13 years and the appeal judges increased this to 15 years at Friday’s hearing.
Her partner, Calvin Buckley, welcomed a decision in August by the Attorney General’s Office to review the 12-year-prison sentence handed out to Iqbal, on the basis it is unduly lenient.
Mr Buckley told the BBC at the time: ‘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.’
Iqbal had previously been convicted of driving without insurance in 2019, and had been given a police warning for racing on public roads two months before the crash.
Judges were given powers last year to give greater sentences for those who had been convicted of death by dangerous driving, upping the maximum term from 14 years to life in prison.
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