UK: Two Indian-Origin Men Jailed for 28 Years Over Deaths of Mother and Daughter

October 27, 2026

London: Two Indian-origin men found guilty in the deaths of a mother and her four-year-old daughter on their way to school in northern England have been sentenced to a total of 28 years in prison. The jury found that car salesmen Jaskamal Riyat (37) and Hardeep Bhachu (29) were racing each other. Bhachu lost control of his car and struck the mother and daughter on their way to school on Scott Hall Road in January 2023.

Justyna Hluboj, 27, and her four-year-old daughter, Lena Chepchor, died on the spot. They were struck by Bhachu’s Audi TT RS car. CCTV footage showed Riyat racing with Bhachu in his BMW M135i just before the accident.

Bhachu pleaded guilty in June 2024 to causing the deaths of both men by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Riyat, meanwhile, pleaded not guilty to causing the deaths of two men by dangerous driving, despite dashcam footage showing the two men racing in a car. The court found him guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.

Both have also been banned from driving for six years. They will have to take an extended driving test after the ban period ends.

Addressing the two men in court, Judge Ray Singh said, “The road is not a race track. Having a powerful car doesn’t mean its capabilities should be tested on a public road.”

He added, “The consequences of competitive driving at excessive speeds can be irreversible, and that’s exactly what happened in this case.”

How did the car race start?

During the trial, it emerged that the two men of Indian origin did not know each other. Minutes before the accident, they were stopped side by side at a traffic signal with their sports cars. During this time, they conversed through the car windows.

Dashcam footage from Bhachu’s car and recordings on Riyat’s phone revealed that they both praised each other’s cars’ power. According to reports, Riyat even provoked Bhachu into a race.

The two then began a car race. Riyat accelerated his car first, and then Bhachu followed suit. Bhachu’s car was traveling at approximately 90 mph on a road with a 40 mph speed limit.

His car hit a curb, causing him to lose control. The car went onto the sidewalk and struck a mother and daughter near a Jaguar car dealership, killing them.

Detective Inspector Paul Conroy, of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Inquiry Team, said, “The actions of these individuals resulted in the loss of a woman and her young daughter. I know that no punishment can compensate for the lives lost.”

He added that this sentencing hearing also marks the end of a long criminal justice process for Justina and Lena’s family.