A TAXI driver convicted of killing a nine-year-old girl while racing a friend through an East Lancashire town has been told to prepare for prison.


Former Haslingden High School student Mohsen Saddique was convicted by a jury of causing the death of Aleena Kausar by dangerous driving.


Burnley Crown Court heard the youngster was killed when she was struck by an Audi A5 after it mounted the pavement in Rawtenstall as she walked to a nearby mosque with her mother. 

Speaking after the verdict Aleena’s parents said they were satisfied the jury had reached the right verdict but said nothing could bring their daughter back.


Jurors ruled 23-year-old Saddique, formerly of Wheatholme Street, Rawtenstall, was just as guilty as fellow driver Adil Manir, 19, whose car struck the youngster in September 2015.

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Saddique’s Golf had been tailgating Manir’s car along Bacup Road, at speeds reaching 64mph, the court was told.

CCTV footage has been released by the authorities showing how the vehicles were only two metres away from each other as they sped past the town’s cricket ground and health centre.

Prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith said Manir’s car had swerved to avoid a taxi driven by Shiraz Ali, Aleena’s uncle, who had just stopped off to offer the girl and her mother a lift.

Aleena suffered serious injuries along with her mother. She died shortly after being airlifted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

In a statement, Aleena’s parents Mumtaz Ali and Sofia Begum, said: “The last year has been extremely painful for our family and we miss our daughter so much.

“Nothing will bring her back and that is something we have to learn to live with, but we are satisfied that the jury has reached the right verdict.

“We hope that the sentence reflects the impact this has had on our family and acts as a deterrent to other drivers to prevent anyone else having to suffer a similar tragedy.”

Defending Ahmed Nadim said Saddique’s car had ‘disengaged’ from his friend’s vehicle, shortly before the fatal crash, as he was slowing down to pull up at a friend’s house nearby.

But jurors found Saddique, who used to live in the same street as his young victim, guilty after a seven-day trial. 

Manir, formerly of Beech Street, Rawtenstall, but now of Keighley, had admitted causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing in April. Both will be sentenced on December 19.

Remanding Saddique on bail for pre-sentence reports, Judge Jonathan Gibson, said: “You will know from what you have been told about the sentencing guidelines in cases such as these that a custodial sentence is overwhelmingly likely.”

An interim driving disqualification was also imposed on Saddique, who had to move to the Keighley area during court proceedings.

Det Insp Mark Haworth-Oates, who investigated the case, said: “This was a tragic incident which has had a devastating impact on Aleena’s family and the wider community.

“I’m sure that when Saddique and Manir set out on that journey they had no intention of hurting anyone but their actions show a complete disregard for the safety of other road users and pedestrians.

“The irresponsible and dangerous way in which they raced their vehicles, in a built-up area, at a busy time of day has led to the worst possible outcome, the death of a young girl who was simply walking along the pavement with her mother.”

“This case highlights the fatal consequences that dangerous driving can have and shows just how much damage and heartbreak it can cause.

“This collision will have a lasting impact on all those involved and my thoughts very much remain with Aleena’s family at this time.”