Hit and run drug driver jailed for longer

Mohammed Ishfaq, who killed a grandmother in a hit and run incident has had his prison term increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, the Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP.

In November 2017, Krishna Droch, 62, was killed when she was struck by Ishfaq’s speeding car that was travelling on the wrong side of the road in Birmingham.

Drug dealer, Ishfaq, aged 31 at the time of offending had consumed a cocktail of drugs including heroin and cocaine with his friend Daren Holness, before they drove to an address to sell drugs. When they arrived, they noticed two vehicles waiting for them, so they drove away, resulting in a car chase that lasted for approximately half a mile.

CCTV footage captured Ishfaq driving on the wrong side of the road, overtaking several vehicles by driving onto the oncoming lane and through a red light. The road had a speed limit of 30mph, but he was driving between 50-56mph when he hit the victim who was using a pedestrian crossing. The victim died at the scene.

Ishfaq failed to stop at the scene, instead he drove for another two miles before stopping to consume more drugs with Holness. They then removed any evidence from the vehicle and left on foot.

On 4 March, the offender was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced to 6 years and 3 months’ imprisonment.

The Solicitor General referred Ishfaq’s original sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The Court found his sentence to be unduly lenient and on 18 May increased his sentence to 8 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“Ishfaq’s actions stole the life of a much-loved woman and shattered a family. This was a senseless and avoidable crime. Crimes of this nature should be met with the full force of the law, and I am pleased the Court of Appeal increased the sentence today. My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Krishna Droch at this difficult time.”