Two Indian-Origin Men Jailed for 28 Years After Fatal BMW-Audi Street Race in UK

Two Indian-origin men have been sentenced to a combined 28 years in prison in the United Kingdom after a high-speed race involving a BMW and an Audi resulted in the deaths of a mother and her four-year-old daughter in Leeds. Hardeep Bhachu, 29, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Jasskamal Riyat, 37, received a 16-year jail term at Leeds Crown Court on October 26, 2026. The case relates to a fatal collision on Scott Hall Road on January 16, 2023.

The victims, 27-year-old Justyna Hulboj and her daughter, Lena Czepczor, were walking towards the child's nursery when Bhachu's Audi TT mounted the pavement and struck them. Both died at the scene. The vehicle subsequently crashed into a wall at a Jaguar dealership. Prosecutors told the court that Bhachu and Riyat had been driving at excessive speeds and competing with each other on the public road. Bhachu was driving an Audi TT, while Riyat was behind the wheel of a BMW 135i. Their behaviour in traffic, including accelerating aggressively and manoeuvring around other vehicles, formed a central part of the prosecution's case.

Evidence presented during the proceedings included dashcam footage, CCTV recordings and material provided by members of the public. The recordings helped investigators reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. The court also heard that Bhachu's Audi was travelling at approximately 89 mph shortly before the crash. Bhachu admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Riyat denied racing with him but was convicted of the same offences following a trial at Leeds Crown Court earlier in 2026.

During sentencing, the judge highlighted the serious risks created by competitive driving on public roads. The case demonstrated how reckless decisions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences for pedestrians and other road users. Both men were also disqualified from driving for six years and will have to pass an extended driving test before they can drive again after their bans end.

The deaths have had a profound impact on the victims' family. Justyna's fiancé, who was also Lena's father, described the devastating loss and the lasting emotional consequences of losing both loved ones in the collision. Although the sentences bring the court proceedings closer to a conclusion, the family continues to face the consequences of the tragedy.

The case has renewed attention on the dangers of street racing and speeding in residential and urban areas. Road safety experts have repeatedly warned that excessive speed reduces a driver's ability to react to unexpected hazards and increases the severity of collisions. The sentencing sends a strong warning that dangerous driving on public roads can lead to lengthy prison terms, particularly when it results in loss of life. The tragedy in Leeds serves as a reminder that public roads are shared spaces and must never be treated as racetracks.

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