Latest news with #SharjeelShahzad
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
How driver kept breaking law until he ended up killing little boy
Within an eight month's period, the driving habits of Sharjeel Shahzad went from bad to worse that ultimately lead to the death of an innocent two-year-old boy. Shahbaz, from Cooksey Lane in Great Barr, first appeared before magistrates in May last year for driving without a license or insurance. He was fined and given eight points on his license. READ MORE: Chilling moment speeding driver crashes into car and kills two-year-old boy Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join But the 30-year-old kept getting back on the road time and time again, having never had a driving test and only a few lessons. It appeared he had a complete disregard for the law which became more clear as the weeks went on. His offending seriously escalated the following month. On June 9, he was arrested for dangerous driving. But the following day, undeterred, he travelled with a friend to a view an Audi A4 Avant which was being sold via Facebook Marketplace in Belton, Leicestershire. Whilst pretending to inspect the high performance car, Shahzad made off in it at speed with his friend in tow. Minutes later, he pulled over and changed the number plates - a tactic that would crop up again months later, although it's unclear if Shahzad was responsible the next time - before continuing on with his journey. Soon afterwards, he was spotted by a police officer who moments earlier had received reports of the theft. The officer was also in a powerful car and a terrifying chase began over A roads and along the M42. Shahzad gunned the accelerator to 92mph in a 40mph zone, ran red lights and even turned off his lights during the pursuit. Once he reached the motorway, Shahzad almost reached speeds of 150mph and used the hard shoulder to undertake. He raced all the way down to Junction 9 near Birmingham, before exiting that junction and re-joining the motorway. There, he came upon traffic slowing for roadworks and weaved within the cones of a closed lane. His manic driving was only stopped when police were forced to crash into him, spinning the Audi around. Despite trying to run from the scene, Shahzad was quickly detained following the overall chase that last almost 20 minutes and covered 30 miles. Shahzad next came to the attention of police when he was stopped on October 20 last year for driving without due care and attention. He was found to be holding a provisional license at the time and was back before magistrates. There, Shahzad admitted both offences and he was banned from driving for six months. The following month, he received a summons to appear before court on December 23 for the offences committed on June 10. But nine days before he was due to appear at that hearing, Shahzad ended up killing two-year-old Shehbaz Singh with another piece of wreckless driving. On December 14 last year, Shahzad was speeding along Dartmouth Road, hitting speeds of 51mph. He overtook a vehicle on the approach to a blind left hand bend and ended up on the wrong side of the road, before colliding head-on with a red Toyota Auris containing five people, including little Shehbaz. Also in the vehicle were the toddler's parents Kushpreet Kaur and Amritpal Singh, and the couple's close friends, husband and wife Baljeet Singh and Pavanpreet Kaur. Shehbaz later died in hospital that day, while Kushpreet suffered a bleed on the brain and Baljeet sustained a fractured spine. Miraculously, Shahzad was unscathed although the Porsche's airbag went off. Despite being challenged by a motorist at the scene, Shahzad fled on foot, with complete disregard for the victims in the Toyota. He quickly became the prime suspect in the investigation and was arrested two days later. Eight of his finger prints were recovered from a false plate that was displayed on the Porsche and his DNA was found on its airbag. West Midlands Police established that the Porsche had been stolen 10 days earlier during a Facebook Marketplace sale in Walsall. During the court hearing of his sentencing, it was revealed that the force had sufficient evidence to establish that Shahzad was the thief on this occasion. Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) at West Midlands Police, explained how officers were able to track him down. He told BirminghamLive: "To identify and locate him, there were a number of aspects. "There was a lot of effort from a wide number of teams with West Midlands Police. "Led by myself, the SCIU, the key factors were mainly forensics. "We know the car is a stolen car, it's displaying false plates. "That presents difficulties identifying the driver. "A full forensic examination was done very, very quickly. "We had those first results in under a day, which is very good. "We had finger prints on the car, I think a total of eight finger prints on the false number plates. "All of which related to Sharjeel, our suspect. "We have also got DNA on the steering wheel airbag, so obviously the air bag goes off as part of the collision. "Those enquiries then give us the identity. "Working with other teams, genuinely we had the entire support of the force. "Then, obviously, we used various methods to identify him, to locate him and he was arrested." Shahzad initially denied causing death by dangerous driving but changed his plea in April. He also admitted causing death by dangerous driving, two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance and failing to stop after a collision. During the sentencing of Shahzad on Friday, the judge Jonathan Gosling labelled Shahzad a dangerous individual. He said: "You have destroyed the lives of Amritpal Singh and his wife Kushpreet Kaur, and devastated their family and friends. "You killed that little boy and seriously injured the other people in the car. "Your true character is revealed by what you did afterwards: just as you tried to do on June 10, you ran away. "You are not only a dangerous man, you are callous and cowardly. "The only thing in your favour is that you admitted your guilt, though you should have done that sooner." Shahzad was jailed for a total of 15 years and four months. He was also banned from driving for 18 years and three months. The judge added: "You are disqualified from today for 18 years and three months. "At the end of that period you are not entitled to drive. "You must take an extended retest. "If you drive a vehicle before you pass that test, you will be driving whilst disqualified and liable to an additional prison sentence."
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Moment 'cowardly' driver flees crash after killing boy, 2, with stolen Porsche
Sharjeel Shahzad, 30, was branded 'callous and cowardly' when he was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for crashing into a family's car and killing a two-year-old boy Horrifying footage caught the moment a "cowardly" driver smashed a stolen Porsche into a family's car and ran away, leaving a two-year-old boy dead. Sharjeel Shahzad, 30, was thrown in prison for more than 15 years after the hit-and-run in Smethwick, West Midlands. Shahzad had been banned from driving at the time and was awaiting a court date for dangerous driving. Despite this, the 30-year-old jumped behind the wheel of a stolen Porsche Cayenne and smashed into the other car while he was veering onto the wrong side of the road just before 11pm on December 14. Shocking footage showed the Porsche swerving down a road in the West Midlands in the evening. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard he had been driving at speeds of up to 50mph that night. Shahzad was then seen overtaking a vehicle while approaching a blind bend before losing control of the car, which had false plates. The driver then moved to the opposite side of the road where he crashed into an unsuspecting Toyota Auris. The Toyota was being driven by Baljeet Singh, who had been at a family member's birthday party with his wife and pals. This collision left two-year-old Shehbaz Singh dead and his mum, Kushpreet Kaur, sustained severe brain injuries. The two-year-old boy had been unrestrained in the backseats of the car and his mum has not yet been told her baby died. A fourth person, Amritpal Singh, was also in the Toyota that evening. The sickening footage showed Shahzad jump out of his crashed stolen car before running away from the scene. Shahzad was due to be in court just nine days after the fatal crash, on December 23, for a 19-minute, 30-mile pursuit he had with police in a stolen Audi on June 10. He had reached speeds of 150mph during the pursuit. The 30-year-old also tried to flee the scene during this incident but was caught by police. Shahzad had then been banned from driving for six months in October 2024 for driving without due care and attention, but this did not stop him from getting behind the wheel again. He was sentenced to 15 years and four months behind bars for causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Jonathan Gosling told the court the impact of the fatal collision was "catastrophic". The judge said: "You destroyed the lives of Amritpal Singh and Kushpreet Kaur and devastated their family and friends. You killed that little boy." He added: "You are not only a dangerous man, you are callous and cowardly." The judge slammed him for fleeing the scene and said: "His only interest was to disappear. He was arrested two days later and denied being in the Porsche at the time. "He complained he was being compelled to drive this way by men he feared. No one compelled him to drive like that. He ran from the car knowing he must, at the very least, have caused very serious injury to those in the Toyota." Shahzad had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to the incident. He also admitted to driving without a licence or insurance and failing to stop after a crash.
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Moment ‘cowardly' driver runs away after smashing stolen Porsche into family's car & killing boy, 2, in hit-and-run
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOCKING footage shows the moment a "callous and cowardly" speeding driver ran away after killing a two-year-old boy in a hit and run. Sharjeel Shahzad was jailed for more than 15 years after he crashed a stolen Porsche Cayenne into a family's car in Smethwick, West Midlands, just before 11pm on December 14 last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Sharjeel Shahzad has been jailed for more than 15 years after a two-year-old boy died following a hit-and-run collision Credit: West Midlands Police 3 He crashed his Porsche head on while driving dangerously and veering onto the opposite side of the road Credit: West Midlands Police 3 The cowardly criminal then took off on foot moments later Credit: West Midlands Police Shahzad already been banned from getting behind the wheel and was awaiting a court date for dangerous driving when he caused the death of a toddler and left his mum in a coma. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the 30-year-old, of Cooksey Lane, Great Barr, West Midlands, had been driving at speeds of up to 50mph. He then overtook a vehicle on approach to a sweeping blind bend on Dartmouth Road and lost control of the powerful high-powered Porsche, which had false plates. Sickening footage shows the reckless driver veering onto the opposite side of the road, into a Toyota Auris being driven by Baljeet Singh. Cowardly Shahzad is seen moments later fleeing his vehicle without a second thought for the victims he left behind. The criminal was caught on camera running without looking back as other shocked motorists came to a halt following the horror smash. Baljeet, who was driving the other car, had been out celebrating a family birthday with his wife and friends that evening. Also in the car were Amritpal Singh, Kushpreet Kaur and their two-year-old son Shehbaz Singh. Shehbaz, who was unrestrained in the back of the Toyota, was pronounced dead, despite efforts to save him at the scene and at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Ms Kaur suffered severe injuries to her brain and is still in hospital. She has not been told her son has died. The court also heard Shahzad had been due to face court on December 23 in connection with a 19-minute, 30-mile pursuit he led police on in a stolen Audi on June 10. Shock moment drunk Fiat 500 driver smashes into car and flips over during dangerous overtake on quiet residential street Shahzad reached speeds of almost 150mph as he tried to evade officers, heard the court. He was only stopped when police rammed the Audi and he tried to flee the scene but was apprehended. Shahzad had also been arrested for a similar incident the day before on June 9 but this case was not continued. In October 2024, Shahzad was banned from driving for six months, despite only having a provisional driving licence, for driving without due care and attention. Jailing him for 15 years and four months for causing the death by dangerous driving of Shehbaz Singh, Judge Jonathan Gosling said the impact of the fatal collision was "catastrophic". He said: "You destroyed the lives of Amritpal Singh and Kushpreet Kaur and devastated their family and friends. You killed that little boy." The judge said Shahzad's "true character is revealed" by the fact he fled after the fatal collision with no regard for the hurt he had caused. He added: "You are not only a dangerous man, you are callous and cowardly." Shahzad was given sentences of 15 months for dangerous driving on June 10, three years each for two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and four months for driving while disqualified, all of which will run concurrently. While there was no evidence Shahzad was the one who stole the Porsche, by the time of the collision, it had false registration plates on which his fingerprint was found. 'CALLOUS AND COWARDLY' Judge Gosling said Shahzad had "completely disregarded the consequences" of his actions when he fled the scene, adding: "His only interest was to disappear. He was arrested two days later and denied being in the Porsche at the time. "He complained he was being compelled to drive this way by men he feared. No one compelled him to drive like that. "He ran from the car knowing he must, at the very least, have caused very serious injury to those in the Toyota." Defending Shahzad, Nicholas Berry told the court the defendant's life had "spiralled in the most reckless manner" in the lead-up to the collision as his long-term relationship had ended and he had lost work. He had written a letter to the judge expressing his remorse for what happened. He pleaded guilty to the charges he faced at a hearing on April 11. Judge Gosling also made Shahzad, who sat in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and showed no emotion, subject to a three-year extended licence and banned him from driving for eight years upon his release. He must also take an extended driving test before he is allowed to drive. The judge recognised the efforts of two people who tried to help those in the Toyota and called out to Shahzad to stop as he fled by awarding them £500 each.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- The Sun
Moment ‘cowardly' driver runs away after smashing stolen Porsche into family's car & killing boy, 2, in hit-and-run
SHOCKING footage shows the moment a "callous and cowardly" speeding driver ran away after killing a two-year-old boy in a hit and run. Sharjeel Shahzad was jailed for more than 15 years after he crashed a stolen Porsche Cayenne into a family's car in Smethwick, West Midlands, just before 11pm on December 14 last year. 3 3 3 Shahzad already been banned from getting behind the wheel and was awaiting a court date for dangerous driving when he caused the death of a toddler and left his mum in a coma. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the 30-year-old, of Cooksey Lane, Great Barr, West Midlands, had been driving at speeds of up to 50mph. He then overtook a vehicle on approach to a sweeping blind bend on Dartmouth Road and lost control of the powerful high-powered Porsche, which had false plates. Sickening footage shows the reckless driver veering onto the opposite side of the road, into a Toyota Auris being driven by Baljeet Singh. Cowardly Shahzad is seen moments later fleeing his vehicle without a second thought for the victims he left behind. The criminal was caught on camera running without looking back as other shocked motorists came to a halt following the horror smash. Baljeet, who was driving the other car, had been out celebrating a family birthday with his wife and friends that evening. Also in the car were Amritpal Singh, Kushpreet Kaur and their two-year-old son Shehbaz Singh. Shehbaz, who was unrestrained in the back of the Toyota, was pronounced dead, despite efforts to save him at the scene and at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Ms Kaur suffered severe injuries to her brain and is still in hospital. She has not been told her son has died. The court also heard Shahzad had been due to face court on December 23 in connection with a 19-minute, 30-mile pursuit he led police on in a stolen Audi on June 10. Shock moment drunk Fiat 500 driver smashes into car and flips over during dangerous overtake on quiet residential street Shahzad reached speeds of almost 150mph as he tried to evade officers, heard the court. He was only stopped when police rammed the Audi and he tried to flee the scene but was apprehended. Shahzad had also been arrested for a similar incident the day before on June 9 but this case was not continued. In October 2024, Shahzad was banned from driving for six months, despite only having a provisional driving licence, for driving without due care and attention. Jailing him for 15 years and four months for causing the death by dangerous driving of Shehbaz Singh, Judge Jonathan Gosling said the impact of the fatal collision was "catastrophic". He said: "You destroyed the lives of Amritpal Singh and Kushpreet Kaur and devastated their family and friends. You killed that little boy." The judge said Shahzad's "true character is revealed" by the fact he fled after the fatal collision with no regard for the hurt he had caused. He added: "You are not only a dangerous man, you are callous and cowardly." Shahzad was given sentences of 15 months for dangerous driving on June 10, three years each for two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and four months for driving while disqualified, all of which will run concurrently. While there was no evidence Shahzad was the one who stole the Porsche, by the time of the collision, it had false registration plates on which his fingerprint was found. 'CALLOUS AND COWARDLY' Judge Gosling said Shahzad had "completely disregarded the consequences" of his actions when he fled the scene, adding: "His only interest was to disappear. He was arrested two days later and denied being in the Porsche at the time. "He complained he was being compelled to drive this way by men he feared. No one compelled him to drive like that. "He ran from the car knowing he must, at the very least, have caused very serious injury to those in the Toyota." Defending Shahzad, Nicholas Berry told the court the defendant's life had "spiralled in the most reckless manner" in the lead-up to the collision as his long-term relationship had ended and he had lost work. He had written a letter to the judge expressing his remorse for what happened. He pleaded guilty to the charges he faced at a hearing on April 11. Judge Gosling also made Shahzad, who sat in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and showed no emotion, subject to a three-year extended licence and banned him from driving for eight years upon his release. He must also take an extended driving test before he is allowed to drive. The judge recognised the efforts of two people who tried to help those in the Toyota and called out to Shahzad to stop as he fled by awarding them £500 each.
The Irish Sun
05-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Moment ‘cowardly' driver runs away after smashing stolen Porsche into family's car & killing boy, 2, in hit-and-run
SHOCKING footage shows the moment a "callous and cowardly" speeding driver ran away after killing a two-year-old boy in a hit and run. Sharjeel Shahzad was jailed for more than 15 years after he crashed a stolen Porsche Cayenne into a family's car in Smethwick, West Midlands, just before 11pm on December 14 last year. Advertisement 3 Sharjeel Shahzad has been jailed for more than 15 years after a two-year-old boy died following a hit-and-run collision Credit: West Midlands Police 3 He crashed his Porsche head on while driving dangerously and veering onto the opposite side of the road Credit: West Midlands Police 3 The cowardly criminal then took off on foot moments later Credit: West Midlands Police Shahzad already been banned from getting behind the wheel and was awaiting a court date for dangerous driving when he caused the death of a toddler and left his mum in a coma. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the 30-year-old, of Cooksey Lane, Great Barr, West Midlands, had been driving at speeds of up to 50mph. He then overtook a vehicle on approach to a sweeping blind bend on Dartmouth Road and lost control of the powerful high-powered Porsche, which had false plates. Sickening footage shows the reckless driver veering onto the opposite side of the road, into a Toyota Auris being driven by Baljeet Singh. Advertisement Cowardly Shahzad is seen moments later fleeing his vehicle without a second thought for the victims he left behind. The criminal was caught on camera running without looking back as other shocked motorists came to a halt following the horror smash. Baljeet, who was driving the other car, had been out celebrating a family birthday with his wife and friends that evening. Also in the car were Amritpal Singh, Kushpreet Kaur and their two-year-old son Shehbaz Singh. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Exclusive Shehbaz, who was unrestrained in the back of the Toyota, was pronounced dead, despite efforts to save him at the scene and at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Ms Kaur suffered severe injuries to her brain and is still in hospital. She has not been told her son has died. The court also heard Shahzad had been due to face court on December 23 in connection with a 19-minute, 30-mile pursuit he led police on in a stolen Audi on June 10. Shock moment drunk Fiat 500 driver smashes into car and flips over during dangerous overtake on quiet residential street Shahzad reached speeds of almost 150mph as he tried to evade officers, heard the court. Advertisement He was only stopped when police rammed the Audi and he tried to flee the scene but was apprehended. Shahzad had also been arrested for a similar incident the day before on June 9 but this case was not continued. In October 2024, Shahzad was banned from driving for six months, despite only having a provisional driving licence, for driving without due care and attention. Jailing him for 15 years and four months for causing the death by dangerous driving of Shehbaz Singh, Judge Jonathan Gosling said the impact of the fatal collision was "catastrophic". Advertisement He said: "You destroyed the lives of Amritpal Singh and Kushpreet Kaur and devastated their family and friends. You killed that little boy." The judge said Shahzad's "true character is revealed" by the fact he fled after the fatal collision with no regard for the hurt he had caused. He added: "You are not only a dangerous man, you are callous and cowardly." Shahzad was given sentences of 15 months for dangerous driving on June 10, three years each for two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and four months for driving while disqualified, all of which will run concurrently. Advertisement While there was no evidence Shahzad was the one who stole the Porsche, by the time of the collision, it had false registration plates on which his fingerprint was found. 'CALLOUS AND COWARDLY' Judge Gosling said Shahzad had "completely disregarded the consequences" of his actions when he fled the scene, adding: "His only interest was to disappear. He was arrested two days later and denied being in the Porsche at the time. "He complained he was being compelled to drive this way by men he feared. No one compelled him to drive like that. "He ran from the car knowing he must, at the very least, have caused very serious injury to those in the Toyota." Advertisement Defending Shahzad, Nicholas Berry told the court the defendant's life had "spiralled in the most reckless manner" in the lead-up to the collision as his long-term relationship had ended and he had lost work. He had written a letter to the judge expressing his remorse for what happened. He pleaded guilty to the charges he faced at a hearing on April 11. Judge Gosling also made Shahzad, who sat in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and showed no emotion, subject to a three-year extended licence and banned him from driving for eight years upon his release. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun He must also take an extended driving test before he is allowed to drive. The judge recognised the efforts of two people who tried to help those in the Toyota and called out to Shahzad to stop as he fled by awarding them £500 each.
