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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Carl Jackson & Alahna Kindred

Hit-and-run driver jailed after killing grandad and claiming wrist injury was karma

A hit-and-run driver has been jailed after ploughing into a grandad who was going for a sunny walk on a Sunday afternoon.

Haroon Basharat, 28, also bizarrely claimed a wrist injury was karma for killing William Burns, 63, while he was enjoying a walk in the sunshine, the court heard.

The driver deliberately turned off the traction control and dynamic stability control on his father's BMW, but lost control when he careered into Mr Burns.

Basharat, who was also speeding at the time, fled the scene and then later lied to police about what happened on April 18 last year, BirminghamMail reports.

Haroon Basharat was jailed for four years and six months (West Midlands Police / SWNS.COM)
William Burns was going for a walk in the sunshine when he was killed (West Midlands Police / SWNS.COM)

He also claimed a wrist injury was his "karma" for killing the victim.

Mr Burns' son Kenny told Birmingham Crown Court: "I will look you in the eye and tell you I will never forgive and will never forget."

Basharat, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for four years and six months on May 25.

He was also handed a driving ban.

Flowers at the scene of a fatal collision in Stechford, Birmingham (BPM Media)

Judge Martin Hurst said it was "incredible" he would be released after a relatively short time despite "taking a life", but emphasised he was bound by legal sentencing guidelines.

Basharat was estimated to have been doing 52mph on a 30mph road when he lost control, causing the BMW to spin 180 degrees and career backwards.

It struck Mr Burns who suffered fatal injuries and died almost instantly as Basharat drove off.

Mr Burns' family paid tribute to their 'hero' in court (BPM Media)

He turned up at a police station six hours later claiming he did not know he had hit anyone.

Basharat also said he had not deliberately turned off the safety features, but vehicle experts contradicted him.

Jennifer Josephs, defending, said: "He is absolutely devastated he has caused the death of another person.

"His remorse is utterly genuine. It has had a major impact on him and his health."

She said Basharat had been attacked a few months later, sustaining an injury to his wrist which required a metal plate.

Ms Josephs told the court he felt it "was almost a type of karma", prompting audible gasps from Mr Burns' friends and family in court, while Judge Hurst urged the barrister to swiftly move on from the point.

In emotional victim impact statements, Mr Burns' widow Emma said the period since his death had been the most "heartbreaking and excruciating time of my life".

His son Wayne said "mentally" he had been on his knees while fellow son Kenny described Mr Burns as his "hero".

Judge Hurst, passing the sentence, told Basharat: "By your deliberate actions, switching off the dynamic stability control, driving aggressively, at speed, in a pedestrian area, you have deprived this family of its principal member.

"A beloved grandfather, father and husband. You will be released relatively soon.

"They will have to live with your selfish actions forever."

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