Bus driver jailed for causing death of teenager (From Times Series)

Bus driver jailed for causing death of teenager

11:10am Thursday 6th April 2006 in

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The parents of a 14-year-old girl who died after being knocked over by a bus on a pelican crossing have expressed their shock that the driver will only spend seven-and-a-half months in prison.

Zohal Qayoom was crossing Golders Green Road, Golders Green by the junction with Hodford Road, just yards from her home on the afternoon of March 26 last year, when she was hit by a 183 bus which drove through a red light.

The Old Bailey court heard on Friday that bus driver Iffat Chaudhry, 36, who had pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving, was travelling at 15mph but claimed not to see Zohal, of Golders Green Road, a straight-A pupil at Hendon School in Golders Rise, Hendon.

Zohal died three days later in Great Ormond Street Hospital of severe head injuries.

Judge Jeremy Roberts QC sentenced Chaudhry to 15 months in jail, of which he has to serve half.

Chaudhry, of North Harrow, had finished his usual shift and agreed to take one last journey from Golders Green to Pinner, as it was near where he lived.

John Burton, defending, told the court his client, a bus driver since 1998, was a 'man of good character' with an 'impeccable' driving record, but who had suffered a three-second loss of concentration before he hit Zohal.

He added: "There was another family that was devastated by the incident and that was Mr Chaudhry's family," referring to his wife and three-year-old son. "He is punishing himself every day and he will continue to punish himself for years to come."

But speaking from the family home after the verdict, Zohal's mother Rabia, 47, said: "Seven-and-a-half months is a short time, after which he goes back to his family, but my daughter will not come back to me." Her husband, Abdul, 49, added: "For me it was like a crime. Chaudhry's sentence is not enough for me. He didn't think about my family he has absolutely destroyed it."

"Sara, one of our other daughters, who is six, used to be a happy girl but her teacher said she is now painting pictures of flowers in the cemetery."

The Qayoom family, who fled Afghanistan in 1998, have struggled to come to terms with Zohal's death. They heard the accident from their living room window and feel they cannot move on with their lives until they are rehoused by Barnet Council.

The council offered properties to the family in Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak, and in Grahame Park, both of which were deemed unsuitable' by the family.

A spokeswoman for the council said it was sympathetic to the family's situation, but that being unhappy with a location is not a suitable reason to refuse a property'. Mr Qayoom said: "It the council has absolutely damaged my family."

His eldest daughter Mitra, 20, used to share a room with Zohal, but now she stays with her uncle, coming home only at weekends, as does Mitra's twin brother, Zamir.