Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for causing the deaths of a mother and her four-year-old daughter in a high-speed crash in Leeds. Justyna Hulboj, 27, and her daughter Lena Czepczor were struck by an Audi TT RS as they walked to the girl's nursery on 16 January 2023. According to BBC News, Hardeep Bhachu received a 12-year sentence and Jasskamal Riyat was jailed for 16 years at Leeds Crown Court on Monday.
The sentencing concluded a case that exposed the fatal consequences of competitive driving on public roads. Riyat was convicted after a five-day trial in August 2026, with the jury returning a unanimous verdict after deliberating for less than two hours, according to reporting from the Yorkshire Evening Post. Bhachu had pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving in June 2024, while Riyat initially denied he had been racing and was convicted by jury.
How did the crash occur?
The collision happened moments after the two drivers, who did not previously know each other, accelerated away from traffic lights on the A61 Scott Hall Road. Prosecutors presented evidence that Riyat's BMW reached speeds of up to 89mph in a 40mph zone before Bhachu lost control of his Audi, mounted the pavement and struck Hulboj and her daughter as they walked to nursery.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that Riyat filmed Bhachu's Audi on his phone, with footage capturing him saying, "Watch this guy let it off." After the collision, Riyat did not contact emergency services and continued to work, later showing colleagues Snapchat videos of the Audi, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
What did the judge say about the offences?
Judge Singh delivered a forceful sentencing remarks, emphasizing that public roads are not venues for dangerous competition.
A road is not a race track. A powerful car is not an invitation to test its limits on a public road.The judge stressed that the victims had committed no wrongdoing, stating that Justyna and Lena were
simply walking to school.
Addressing the broader consequences of their actions, Judge Singh told the defendants:
The consequences of competitive driving at extreme speed can be, and in this case were, irreversible.He added that the deaths had consequences that were
immeasurable, with an
immenseimpact on those left behind.
The judge reflected on what should have happened that morning, saying:
Justyna and Lena should have gone to school that morning. They should have returned home. They should have continued with their lives. Instead, their lives ended on a pavement because two drivers chose to drive in a manner which placed speed and competition above the safety of everyone around them.
What additional penalties were imposed?
Both men received six-year driving bans and must pass extended driving tests before driving again, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post. These additional restrictions underscore the severity with which the courts view their conduct and the danger they posed to the public.
What is the broader context?
This case is part of a troubling pattern of fatal crashes caused by competitive driving on UK roads. Two brothers were previously jailed over a crash near Welshpool that killed rugby referee Rhys Jenkins and seriously injured his young son, after a court heard they had been racing each other home. Similar cases have highlighted the devastating impact of street racing and dangerous competitive driving on innocent members of the public.
Key Facts
- Justyna Hulboj, 27, and her four-year-old daughter Lena Czepczor were killed on Scott Hall Road in Leeds on 16 January 2023
- Hardeep Bhachu was sentenced to 12 years in prison; Jasskamal Riyat received 16 years
- Riyat's BMW reached speeds of 89mph in a 40mph zone before Bhachu's Audi mounted the pavement and struck the victims
- Both men received six-year driving bans and must pass extended driving tests before driving again
- Riyat was convicted by jury after a five-day trial; Bhachu had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving
