Prior to the truth being revealed on camera, Qadeer Hussain stood blaming a nine-year-old girl for a disaster he had caused without feeling guilty. He tried to absolve himself of blame for his careless behaviour by claiming she had suddenly run into the road. A new, much more horrific tale of preventable loss and irreparable destruction would be revealed by the evidence.
Little Alice Williams, her mother, and her six-year-old brother Joseph were only travelling to Halifax on July 8, 2023, for a summer party. It was a time that ought to have been joyful. It became a nightmare instead. As traffic slowed and the lights changed at a pedestrian crossing on Kings Cross Road, Hussain, in a black Vauxhall Corsa, made a deadly choice. Disregarding the safety of others around him and the red light, he accelerated, reaching about 49 mph.
Alice was crossing the street a few paces ahead of her family when Hussain hit her. She suffered severe injuries in the collision. Despite the greatest efforts of medical personnel, she passed away from her injuries a few days after being taken to the hospital.
At first, Hussain attempted to avoid responsibility. He admitted to the authorities that he had been operating his vehicle lawfully and even implied that the child was at fault. However, dashcam footage from other cars made it quite evident what actually occurred. He was caught on camera speeding up, disobeying the changing traffic signals, and finally colliding with Alice as she was crossing the street legally. His assertions were disproved by the visual truth.
Bradford Crown Court was the venue for the case. Hussain, a 55-year-old Halifax resident and father of two from Essex Street, ultimately acknowledged death by reckless driving in February. Alice’s distraught relatives gave the court heartfelt speeches during the sentencing hearing. Hussain was informed by her mother, Claire, that his “aggressive and monstrous” acts had destroyed her world and that she would never feel whole again.
“It makes me feel very sad because if drivers speed, they are mean and bad because they know they shouldn’t do it,” remarked Alice’s younger brother Joe in a tragic impact statement. A loss no youngster should ever have to deal with was mirrored in his remarks.
Hussain received an eight-year, four-month prison sentence. Additionally, he was banned from driving for more than ten years. The anguish he caused cannot be undone, even though the penalty would give one a sense of justice.
The community, the police, the witnesses, and the medical staff who attempted to save Alice were all thanked by Alice’s family for their support during the experience. They commended people who came forward with dashcam footage in particular, as it was crucial in obtaining the conviction. According to their statement, drivers should think about Alice when making decisions while driving and weigh the risks involved with speeding.
As they put it, “Alice was ours—a joyful, intelligent bookworm; a kind, humorous, and affectionate daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend.” We will always be incredibly proud of her. They requested that the amazing person she was, rather than the awful manner of her death, define her memory.
The seriousness of the case was recognised by Detective Sergeant Steve Suggitt of the Major Collision Enquiry Team. Nothing could bring Alice back, but he hoped the sentence would serve as a sobering lesson of the irrevocable consequences of reckless driving and provide some closure. He stressed the value of remaining alert and responsible when driving and commended the public’s contribution to holding Hussain accountable.
Ultimately, Alice was given justice because of the truth, which was caught on camera rather than in words. And it is her memory that her family still treasures and guards, not her terrible demise.
