‘Drag racer’ found guilty over nine year old girl’s death.
Mohsen Saddique found guilty of causing death of nine year old Aleena Kausar
A man’s been found guilty over the death of a nine year old girl in Rawtenstall.
Mohsen Saddique, 22, has been found guilty of causing the death of nine year old Aleena Kausar on September 18th. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to causing the child’s death but was convicted today following a weeklong trial at Burnley Crown Court
Aleena suffered serious injuries at the scene after a collision with an Audi A5 on Bacup Road in Rawtenstall at around 5pm and was airlifted to Royal Blackburn Hospital where she sadly later died.
Detective Inspector Mark Haworth-Oates said: “This was a tragic incident which has had a devastating impact on Aleena’s family and the wider community. My thoughts very much remain with the family at this time.”
Saddique had been drag racing in his Volkswagen Golf with Adil Manr, 19, who had been driving the Audi. The pair was shown on CCTV to have reached speeds up to 64 mph before the crash, Manir pleaded guilty to same charge earlier this year.
D I Haworth added, “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. It highlights the fatal consequences that dangerous driving can have and shows just how much damage and heartbreak it can cause.”
Both Saddique and Manir will be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on December 19th.
Andrew Watson