Motorist who killed boy, 12, had been banned from driving twice before

by · Mail Online

A speeding driver who mowed down and killed a 12-year-old boy had been banned from getting behind the wheel twice before the fatal crash, a court has heard. 

Azaan Khan was riding his bike in South Yardley, Birmingham, when Shazad Alam, 34, ploughed his BMW into him.

The youngster had gone to the shop with his friends and was crossing Coventry Road when he was hit by Alam who was estimated to be driving as fast as 62mph on the 40mph road.

Emergency services attempted to save Azaan's life performing a blood transfusion but he died at the scene on the evening of June 8 last year.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how Alam was weaving in and out of traffic and used the bus lane to undertake drivers who heard the 'aggressive roaring' of his engine, Birmingham Live reported.

The court also heard how he had previously been banned for driving in the past, in 2019 and 2022, under the 'totting up' process. This included speeding at 75mph on another 40mph road.

The 34-year-old, of Lowesmoor Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday and was jailed for eight years and nine months.

He was further disqualified from driving for seven years after his release. 

Azaan Khan was riding his bike in South Yardley, Birmingham , when Shazad Alam, 34, ploughed his BMW into him
Alam, of Lowesmoor Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday and was jailed for eight years and nine months.
Emergency services attempted to save Azaan's life performing a blood transfusion but he died at the scene on the evening of June 8 last year. 

It was concluded by Judge Kristina Montgomery that the slow-moving traffic 'irritated' Alam prior to the fatal crash.

Azaan's grieving mother Zoe Homer, who was 36 weeks pregnant when he was killed, told the court her son was her 'best friend' and 'better half'. She described him as 'beautiful, clever and incredibly funny'.

She recalled running to the scene after the crash, while Azaan's father Jakir Khan described being at the site and holding his son's body.

The judge said that Alam made a 'deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road' and 'demonstrated a disregard for the risk of danger to others'.   

Jaguar Land Rover worker Alam said in a letter that 'no amount of words can express how sorry I am for the loss I caused to Azaan's family'.

The letter continued: 'I want to apologise to them profusely. The tragic mistake I made on the 8th of June last year will live with me forever and Azaan will remain in the my prayers and the prayers of my family.'

The family of Azaan released a tribute to their son following the verdict. It read: 'It's been over a year since our boy was taken from us, yet we still can't accept the reality that he's gone.

'Azaan was our light, our comfort when life becomes too heavy, our warmth when the world felt cold.

Azaan's grieving mother Zoe Homer, who was 36 weeks pregnant when he was killed, told the court her son was her 'best friend' and 'better half' 
Floral tributes left at the scene where Azaan died in June last year

'He had a great sense of humour and a charm like no other. His smile and charisma would fill any room he was in. He left an imprint on anyone who was luckily enough to meet him.

'We can only hope that Azaan's name, his story, will do something and will make people realise that we cannot let this be normal.

'That no parent should endure this kind of heartbreak and pain.'     

Det Sgt Paul Hughes, from the SCIU, said: 'This tragic incident shows the real consequences of getting behind the wheel of a car and driving in a clearly aggressive manner.

'This type of driving is not acceptable on any of our roads. I need all drivers to look at this and other cases and realise the consequences of those split-second decisions they make.

'Our thoughts are with Azaan's loved ones.'