UPDATE: |Killer who told victim’s parents ‘this has affected me as well’ gets longer in jail News

Adam Ali has had his sentence upped by over two years after the fatal collision in Tameside

A dangerous driver who killed a teenage boy and hospitalised another after driving at double the speed limit and ‘losing control’ has had his prison sentence increased.

Adam Ali, 20, from Kershaw Lane in Audenshaw, has had his sentence upped by more than two years by the Court of Appeal after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

The court heard that on the evening of October 15 2022, Ali drove dangerously with three passengers in the car having passed his test a few months earlier. Ali drove through a residential area in Audenshaw in wet conditions, in excess of 60mph in an area with a 30mph speed limit. He then lost control of the car and smashed it into a lamp post.

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The university student, who had only passed his driving test in May of that year, had offered Ben Burbidge, 16, and his friends a lift in his Vauxhall Corsa after spotting them at a tram stop.

Miss Gwen Henshaw prosecuting said: ‘’The prevailing conditions were damp following light rain but one of the passengers said the Corsa was travelling at around 60mph in a 30mph zone. The defendant then lost control of the car causing it to spin violently and collide with a lamppost causing a heavy impact.”

Ben, a 16-year-old passenger in the back of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering catastrophic brain injuries. Justin Saidi, who was 17 at the time, was hospitalised after he suffered multiple injuries including a collapsed lung, bleeding between his lung and ribcage and fractured ribs and shoulders.

The court heard that just weeks before, Ali had previously been caught speeding and misusing his car horn, and the fatal accident occurred while he was waiting for his speed awareness course to start.

While awaiting trial, Ali was caught speeding on two further occasions and later caused another road accident while banned from driving while inhaling a nitrous oxide canister at the wheel.

When questioned in court, Ali expressed ‘remorse’ for the tragic incident. He later penned a letter to Ben’s parents, stating: “I’m very sorry for the accident that happened.

“Whilst I cannot imagine the pain you have gone through, this has affected me as well – I couldn’t focus on my university course as I would have panic attacks. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. If I could turn back time I would.”

At Minshull Street Crown Court earlier this year, Ali pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was also banned from driving for five years.

In a victim impact statement, Ben’s older sister Bethan Redman said: “In the moment I learnt about the crash, my whole world shattered. We have lost not only a loving son, brother and friend but an incredible young man with so much potential.

“Ben was full of life, energy and dreams and had a kind heart which touched everyone who knew him. It’s heartbreaking to think of the future he could have had. The grief is all consuming.”

Ali has now had his prison term increased after Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP intervened, and his sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal. His new sentence is one of six years and four months.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said: “Ben Burbridge was only 16 years old when he died and he had his whole future ahead of him. His life was tragically cut short by Adam Ali’s dangerous driving.

“I welcome the court’s decision to increase Ali’s sentence following my referral. This government is committed to ensuring those who drive dangerously are punished appropriately.”