New date for Dewsbury runaway van death trial

A man accused of causing the death of a mum-of-four who was crushed by a runaway van has been given a new trial date.
By Olwen Dudgeon
Published 24th Feb 2014, 17:03 BST
A woman has been seriously injured after being knocked down by a van on Willans Road at the junction of Swindon Road in Dewsbury. (D553C318)A woman has been seriously injured after being knocked down by a van on Willans Road at the junction of Swindon Road in Dewsbury. (D553C318)
A woman has been seriously injured after being knocked down by a van on Willans Road at the junction of Swindon Road in Dewsbury. (D553C318)

Mohammed Karani, 43, of Park Close, Batley, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

He denied a charge of causing the death of 46-year-old Shabana Ahmed by driving without due care and attention on April 26 last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Ahmed, of Willans Road, Dewsbury, was hit by the van yards from her home as she walked three of her children back from school.

Karani was not in the vehicle at the time but had left it parked in Swindon Road.

His barrister Andrew Dallas said he would make the case that Karani had applied the handbrake properly.

A trial date had been fixed for July 7 previously, but the court heard that was during Ramadan and some of the witnesses would not be available.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC agreed to reschedule the opening of the trial to September 22.

Mrs Ahmed’s eldest daughter was in court for the hearing after which Karani was bailed.

Related topics:DewsburyBatley