Key Points
- Fatal Incident: Justyna Hulboj, aged 27, and her four-year-old daughter, Lena Czepczor, were killed while walking to nursery on 16 January 2023.
- Custodial Sentences: Hardeep Bhachu, 29, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Jasskamal Riyat, 37, received a 16-year prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court.
- Legal Pleas: Bhachu pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, whereas Riyat denied racing and was convicted by a jury following a trial.
- Extreme Speeds Recorded: The court heard that Riyat drove his BMW at speeds reaching up to 89mph in a designated 40mph zone along the A61 Scott Hall Road.
- Judicial Remarks: Judge Singh stated that the public highway was “not a race track” and highlighted the “immeasurable” consequences and “immense” impact on the victims’ family.
Leeds Crown Court (The Leeds Times) October 26, 2026 –for causing the deaths of a mother and her four-year-old daughter in a high-speed road traffic collision in Leeds. Justyna Hulboj, aged 27, and her daughter, Lena Czepczor, sustained fatal injuries when an Audi TT RS mounted the footway and struck them as they walked together towards the youngster’s nursery on the morning of 16 January 2023. At the sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Singh handed down a 12-year custodial sentence to 29-year-old Hardeep Bhachu and a 16-year prison term to 37-year-old Jasskamal Riyat for their respective roles in the double fatality.
How Did the Fatal Collision on Scott Hall Road Occur?
The court heard details regarding the events leading up to the fatal collision on the A61 Scott Hall Road. Prosecuting counsel outlined how Bhachu, residing at Grant Row in Adel, and Riyat, residing at Buckstone Avenue in Moortown, accelerated away simultaneously from a set of traffic lights on the dual carriageway.
Although the two motorists did not previously know one another, their actions resulted in competitive driving along the public highway shortly before the collision took place.
During the proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating that Riyat’s BMW achieved speeds of up to 89mph in a stretch of road governed by a 40mph speed limit. Moments later, Bhachu lost control of his Audi TT RS, causing the vehicle to veer off the carriageway, mount the pedestrian pavement, and collide directly with Hulboj and her young daughter as they walked along their routine route to the nursery.
What Statements Were Made During the Leeds Crown Court Sentencing?
During the sentencing remarks at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Singh directly addressed both defendants regarding the nature of their driving and the resulting fatalities. Judge Singh stated that the road was “not a race track” and informed the men that the loss of life carried consequences that were “immeasurable,” emphasizing that the impact on those left behind was “immense.”
The legal proceedings detailed the differing pleas entered by the two defendants prior to sentencing. Bhachu admitted his guilt at an earlier hearing, formalizing guilty pleas to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Conversely, Riyat denied engaging in a street race with Bhachu; however, following a trial, the jury found him guilty of the charges.
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Background of the Scott Hall Road Development
The fatalities occurred on the A61 Scott Hall Road, a major arterial route leading into Leeds that features multi-lane sections controlled by traffic signals and residential footpaths running adjacent to the carriageway.
High-speed collisions and competitive driving on urban dual carriageways have drawn continuous scrutiny from transport safety authorities, West Yorkshire Police, and local highway planners. Concerns regarding speed management, driver behaviour, and pedestrian protection along busy suburban routes remain central to regional road safety policies and ongoing infrastructure evaluations.
How Will This Legal Outcome Affect Road Users and Local Communities?
This sentencing outcome establishes a formal judicial record regarding driver accountability and competitive road use within suburban environments. For local residents, pedestrians, and road safety advocacy groups, the custodial sentences demonstrate the enforcement of legal penalties for excessive speeding and dangerous driving in built-up areas. The ruling serves as a reference point for future legal proceedings involving multi-vehicle speeding incidents, reinforcing how the public highway system is monitored and regulated by law enforcement and the judiciary.
