Two Indian-origin men have been sentenced to a combined 28 years in prison in the United Kingdom after a high-speed street race caused the deaths of a mother and her four-year-old daughter.
Hardeep Bhachu, 29, and Jasskamal Riyat, 37, were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on October 26, 2026.
The victims, 27-year-old Justyna Hulboj and her daughter Lena Czepczor, were walking to school when they were struck by a speeding car in January 2023.
The tragedy has brought renewed attention to the dangers of reckless driving and illegal street racing.
What Happened in the Leeds Car Crash?
The fatal incident occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. on January 16, 2023, along Scott Hall Road in Leeds, northern England.
Justyna and her daughter were walking along the pavement during their morning journey.
At the same time, Bhachu was driving a powerful Audi TT, while Riyat was driving a BMW.
Investigators established that the two men had been racing each other on the public road.
Bhachu lost control of his Audi, which mounted the pavement and struck the mother and daughter.
The vehicle then crashed into a wall outside the Vertu Jaguar Leeds dealership.
Both victims died at the scene.
The collision left their family facing an unimaginable loss.
Who Are Hardeep Bhachu and Jasskamal Riyat?
Hardeep Bhachu, 29, lived in the Adel area of Leeds.
He was driving the Audi involved in the fatal collision.
Bhachu pleaded guilty in June 2024 to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Jasskamal Riyat, 37, lived in the Moortown area of Leeds.
He was driving the BMW that investigators identified as racing alongside Bhachu.
Riyat denied taking part in the race.
However, a jury found him guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving in August 2026.
He received a 16-year prison sentence.
Together, the two sentences total 28 years.
How Did Police Establish That the Men Were Racing?
West Yorkshire Police used CCTV recordings and dashcam footage to reconstruct the events leading to the collision.
The investigation revealed that the two drivers did not know each other before encountering one another on the road.
They had stopped beside each other at traffic lights and discussed their high-powered vehicles.
Footage from Bhachu’s dashcam recorded him boasting about the performance of his Audi.
Investigators also examined recordings showing the vehicles travelling at dangerous speeds.
The evidence helped establish that both drivers were involved in competitive driving shortly before the fatal crash.
Although Riyat’s vehicle did not strike the victims, the jury found him criminally responsible for his participation in the dangerous driving.
What Did Leeds Crown Court Decide?
On October 26, 2026, Leeds Crown Court sentenced both men.
Judge Ray Singh strongly criticised their decision to race on a public road.
He emphasised that powerful vehicles must not be treated as opportunities to compete at dangerous speeds.
The court imposed the following punishments:
| Convicted Driver | Prison Sentence |
| Hardeep Bhachu, 29 | 12 years |
| Jasskamal Riyat, 37 | 16 years |
| Combined sentence | 28 years |
Both men were also disqualified from driving for six years.
They must complete an extended driving test before becoming eligible to drive again.
The sentences followed a lengthy criminal investigation and court process.
What Did the Victims’ Family Say?
The deaths of Justyna Hulboj and Lena Czepczor devastated their family.
In a statement presented during the legal proceedings, Justyna’s fiancé and Lena’s father described the lasting emotional impact.
He recalled saying goodbye to his family on the morning of the crash without knowing it would be the final time.
He spoke about the plans they had made together and the future they would never share.
His statement highlighted the human consequences behind the court proceedings.
The tragedy did not simply end two lives.
It also permanently changed the lives of their loved ones.
What Did West Yorkshire Police Say?
Detective Inspector Paul Conroy, from West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, described the case as a devastating example of dangerous driving.
He explained that the two men had been showing off their powerful cars on a busy road.
According to investigators, Bhachu lost control while driving at excessive speed.
Police also said Riyat witnessed the collision but left the scene instead of stopping to check on those involved.
Investigators credited footage supplied by members of the public with helping establish his involvement.
Police acknowledged that no prison sentence could replace the lives lost.
However, the sentencing marked an important conclusion to the criminal proceedings.
Why Is Dangerous Street Racing So Serious?
Street racing creates risks for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
Vehicles travelling at excessive speeds require greater distances to stop.
Drivers also have less time to react when unexpected situations arise.
Losing control of a vehicle can have devastating consequences, particularly in areas used by pedestrians.
In this case, a mother and child were walking along a pavement when the collision occurred.
They were not participating in the drivers’ dangerous behaviour.
Yet they suffered its consequences.
The case demonstrates why speed limits and road safety laws are essential for protecting the public.
What Does This Case Mean for Road Safety?
The Leeds tragedy highlights the importance of responsible driving.
Powerful cars can be driven safely when motorists follow traffic laws and remain aware of other road users.
However, competitive driving on public roads can quickly become dangerous.
The court’s decision also demonstrates that criminal responsibility may extend beyond the driver whose vehicle physically strikes the victims.
Where evidence establishes that another driver participated in dangerous racing that caused deaths, that driver may also face serious criminal consequences.
The case serves as a warning against treating public roads as racing tracks.
Conclusion
The sentencing of two Indian-origin men to a combined 28 years in prison brings a major stage of the legal process to an end.
Hardeep Bhachu and Jasskamal Riyat were held responsible for dangerous driving that caused the deaths of Justyna Hulboj and her four-year-old daughter Lena Czepczor.
Although the court has delivered its judgment, the victims’ family continues to live with an irreversible loss.
The tragedy is a reminder that reckless decisions behind the wheel can destroy innocent lives within seconds.
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