In a tragic incident that has shocked the community of Halifax, West Yorkshire, 55-year-old Qadeer Hussain was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for causing the death of nine-year-old Alice Williams by dangerous driving. The incident occurred on July 8, 2023, when Alice was crossing the road with her mother and younger brother. Hussain, driving at 49mph in a 30mph zone, ran a red light and struck Alice, leading to fatal head injuries.
Initially, Hussain attempted to deflect blame, claiming that Alice had run into the road unexpectedly. However, dashcam footage obtained by police contradicted his account, showing that he had accelerated through a red light at excessive speed. The footage revealed that other vehicles had stopped as the traffic signal changed, but Hussain chose to speed through the intersection, resulting in the fatal collision.
During the sentencing at Bradford Crown Court, Alice’s mother, Claire, delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing Hussain’s actions as “aggressive and monstrous,” stating that she would “never be whole again.” Alice’s six-year-old brother, Joseph, also expressed his grief, calling Hussain “mean” and “bad.” The family emphasized the profound and irreparable impact the tragedy has had on their lives.
In addition to his prison sentence, Hussain was disqualified from driving for ten years and two months and will be required to pass an extended re-test before regaining his driving privileges. The judge condemned Hussain’s deliberate decision to run the red light, highlighting the devastating consequences of his actions.
Alice’s family has since advocated for greater awareness of the dangers of reckless driving, urging motorists to consider the potential consequences of their actions. They hope that Alice’s story will serve as a cautionary tale and prevent similar tragedies in the future.