Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
Netizens expressed outrage at the court's decision to award just six years jail term for Hashim Aziz, who killed a young mum in Walsall while showing off to 'impress his cousins'.
Aziz, 23, struck Baljinder Kaur Moore at 62mph as she was turning into a junction of Broadway and Magdalene Road in her vehicle in November last year.
Mother of a five-month-old boy, Kaur Moore was driving to pick up her husband Harjinder from his brother's home when the tragedy took place.
Aziz pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to six years in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday (10). Besides, he was banned from driving for seven years.
According to a report in Birmingham Mail, Aziz was awarded a reduced sentence due to his his early guilty plea. Otherwise, he would have been jailed for eight years.
When the West Midlands Police shared the court's order on Twitter, many expressed displeasure over the decision.
While responding to the news, one Twitter user by the name @Floydy_Stu, wrote: Very lenient sentence,he’s taken a life through his own negligence so should be behind bars for a minimum of 30yrs,that would be a better deterrent rather than paltry 6yrs,I know you don’t set the laws but Ive a feeling you wish they were sometimes tougher."
"Out by age 30 at the latest? hahahaha and you wonder why so many people do it," another wrote.
"The thing that make me angry, that he got 6 year's behind bars, and a 7 year driving ban. Serving his driving ban whilst behind bars, comes out and only had to wait a year before he his behind the wheel again," another said on Twitter.
Many called the sentence an 'absolute joke' and urged to change the law to 'stop speeding'.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Aziz took his brother's new £25,000 Audi S3 without consent.
Initially, Aziz tried to blame Kaur Moore but later admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
According to reports, one of the car engines detached due to the impact of the crash and debris was left scattered 30 metres away.
The victim was extricated by firefighters from the wreckage but was pronounced deadshortly after the accident.
In a victm impact statement, Harjinder described running to the police cordon after hearing another driver say a young woman in a red car had passed away.
Aziz's defence counsel, Adam Morgan, said that he was a former school prefect and had been studying accounting, adding that he is genuinely remorseful.
"Although the family might not be able to forgive him, he hopes they will be able to accept that he is sorry," Morgan is reported to have said.
"You drove in excess of 100mph in a residential area, approaching a crossroads. This was dangerous driving of the greatest gravity and it was the loss of a life of a young mother, a daughter and sister," said Judge HHJ Michael Chambers KC.
Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami highlighted inclusiveness and sustainability.
Leicester hosted scaled-back celebrations without fireworks after a safety review.
Cities across England marked the festival with community events.
THE ROYAL Family and UK prime minister Keir Starmer shared Diwali greetings on Monday, as the High Commission of India in London highlighted inclusiveness and sustainability as key messages of the Festival of Lights.
“Wishing a very happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights in the UK and around the world,” reads a message from Buckingham Palace, shared across all its social media platforms.
Starmer also took to social media to wish “Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across Britain a joyful and peaceful Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas”. The prime minister, who attended the Gaza peace summit in Egypt during the Diwali festivities at 10 Downing Street last week, reflected on his visit to Mumbai earlier this month in his post.
“Earlier this month, I lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion, joy, and renewed bonds. As we celebrate this Festival of Lights, let’s keep building a Britain where everyone can look ahead with hope,” he said.
Opposition Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch described the festival as a “celebration of light over darkness, hope over despair, and the power of family, community and faith”.
“Wishing a very Happy Diwali to all those celebrating the festival of lights in the UK, India, and around the world. May this Diwali bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to everyone,” said Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, in a video message, called Deepavali one of the central elements of India’s festive calendar.
“It is celebrated across all communities as an opportunity to bring together families and friends and celebrate the joys of the changing season, and the start of the cool season,” said Doraiswami.
“It is one of our most beloved festivals, not least because of the lights and traditional diyas that are lit up, but also for the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Diwali these days is seen as an opportunity for an inclusive festival, a sustainable festival,” he said.
“Sustainability not just purely in the environmental sense with the use of renewables in our lights and displays, but also in terms of ensuring that you make it sustainable by bringing together all communities amongst whom you live,” he added.
“That is particularly applicable here in the United Kingdom as we celebrate the start of what is a longer festive season that continues right through to the end of the year,” he said.
Many of the annual Diwali festivities in the UK, including the Mayor of London’s Diwali on the Square, took place earlier this month.
In Leicester, known for its large-scale Diwali celebrations, this year’s event was scaled back with no fireworks display following a local council safety audit. The city’s Diwali Day celebrations were centred around a Wheel of Light — a 110-foot-high Ferris wheel on the Golden Mile at Belgrave Road — which was closed to traffic and lit up with thousands of colourful lights.
“We know that this year’s celebrations will feel different, but our priority must be the safety of the public,” said Councillor Vi Dempster, Leicester’s assistant city mayor for culture.
“We are absolutely determined that Diwali continues to be part of the city’s festive calendar. We will be working with partners and the local community to explore options for how the city builds on its proud tradition of bringing our communities together to celebrate the Festival of Light,” she said.
Meanwhile, Basingstoke and Reading in southern England hosted outdoor Diwali celebrations organised by Kala the Arts over the weekend, attracting hundreds of people.
The events featured theatrical processions with illuminated puppets, dhol music, classical dance performances, and lantern installations as part of the free-to-attend festival, now in its fifth year.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.