A Leeds jury has convicted 37-year-old Jasskamal Riyat of causing death by dangerous driving following a tragic incident on Scott Hall Road. although Riyat's BMW did not strike the victims, his participation in a high-speed display with an Audi driver was deemed a contributing factor to the fatal crash.
The January 16 tragedy on Scott Hall Road
On the morning of January 16, 2023, a routine walk to nursery ended in tragedy for Justyna Hulboj and her four-year-old daughter, Lena Czepczor. The victims were walking on Scott Hall Road in Leeds when they were struck by an Audi TT driven by Hardeep Bhachu. while Bhachu's vehicle was the one that made physical contact, the legal fallout has expanded to include a second driver, Jasskamal Riyat.
The case against Riyat, a 37-year-old from Moortown, centers on his conduct in a black BMW 135i immediately preceding the crash. According to the report, Riyat was engaged in a dangerous display of speed alongside Bhachu. this behavior, which included revving engines and accelerating rapidly at traffic lights, created a hazardous environment on a public road.
Evidence from the BMW 135i's own recordings
Much of the prosecution's case relied on digital evidence, including dashcam footage and videos captured by Riyat himself. The source notes that these recordings showed the BMW and the Audi traveling side-by-side before the Audi accelerated away . In one specific clip, Riyat was seen reacting with amusement as the Audi sped off, a detail that prosecutors used to argue the drivers were participating in a shared, reckless encounter.
During the trial, Riyat admitted to several infractions, including driving 50 mph in a 40 mph zone and using his mobile phone while behind the wheel. He also admitted to passing other vehicles in an unsafe manner . Although Riyat maintained that he was not racing and was simply filming an "unusual" car, the jury found that his unsafe passing and speeding contributed to the circumstances that led to Bhachu losing control of the Audi TT.
A witness provided further weight to the prosecution, telling the court that the pair appeared to be "obviously racing." This testimony, combined with dashcam footage from another vehicle, showed the BMW and Audi pulling away so rapidly they nearly vanished from view.
A legal shift toward shared responsibility for "joint episodes"
This verdict establishes a significant precedent regarding how the law views secondary participants in road accidents. Typically, criminal liability for a fatal crash is assigned to the driver who makes impact. However, this case demonstrates that a driver can be held responsible if their actions form part of a "dangerous joint episode" that contributes to the fatal outcome.
This ruling addresses a growing concern regarding motorists who use public thoroughfares to test vehicle performance or engage in competitive driving . By convicting Riyat, the Leeds Crown Court has signaled that the "spectator" or "partner" in a high-speed display cannot claim immunity simply because their vehicle did not strike a pedestrian.
The pending sentence for Jasskamal Riyat
While the jury has delivered its verdict, the final legal consequences for the individuals involved remain partially unresolved. Riyat is currently awaiting sentencing at a later date, a process that will determine the severity of his punishment for causing death by dangerous driving.
There are still questions regarding the full judicial outcome for Hardeep Bhachu, the 29-year-old from Adel. while the report states Bhachu has already admitted to the same offences after his Audi TT mounted the pavement and struck the victims, the finality of his sentencing and the total impact of the dual convictions on the legal landscape of Leeds remain to be seen .
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