Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Antonio Boparan jailed for crash death of girl

A COMPANY director has been jailed for 18 months for causing the death of a girl nine years after an accident he was involved in left her disabled.

Cerys Edwards was 11 months old in 2006 when Antonio Boparan, then 19, crashed head-on into her parents’ car.


The accident left her paralysed, needing round-the-clock specialist care.

Cerys died in October 2015 and her death was "a consequence of her spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury sustained in collision", Birmingham Crown Court heard on Thursday (7).

Boparan is the son of Ranjit Singh Boparan, the founder of 2 Sisters Food Group.

Following a trial in 2008, 32-year-old Antonio served six months of a 21-month sentence.

In a statement issued after the sentencing, Cerys' father Gareth branded the jail term "an insult."

"Today we have finally got some justice for Cerys after more than 12 years of hell.

"Finally we can say it as it is, Boparan is a child killer. He has broken our hearts.

"But in reality Boparan will only serve around 15 months behind bars in total for killing a child and destroying several lives, which is a complete insult."

Boparan admitted to causing death by dangerous driving in court. He has also been banned from driving for three years and nine months.

Jailing Boparan, Judge Melbourne Inman QC said he had showed "an arrogant disregard for the safety of others" when he got behind the wheel that day.

"The quality of her short life was destroyed as in many ways was that of her parents,” he said. "Finally, Cerys yielded to her injuries and disabilities and your criminal actions eventually took her life away from her."

Before sentencing, Boparan's barrister James Sturman, said: "This was a stupid and immature piece of bad driving at high speed over a relatively small distance by a young man, 19 at the time, then driving for six months, and he has caused devastation to Cerys Edwards and her family."

He said Boparan had been "in a hurry to get home" at the time of the accident and had "made a mistake".

He had since tried to live "a law-abiding life."

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less