Azaan Khan's family speak out as killer driver's letter to family revealed

He was the funny and clever schoolboy whose smile and charisma filled up the room. Bright Azaan Khan was the 'light' and 'comfort' in his parents' world and described as the 'warmth' when things felt 'cold.'

Today, his mother Zoe Homer and dad Jakir Khan told how their they still can't comprehend their 12-year-old boy is dead, more than a year after he was killed by speeding BMW driver Shazad Alam. Azaan was cycling across Coventry Road died at the roadside after he was struck by Alam who was estimated to have accelerating between 53.8mph and 62.7mph at the point of impact.

Both parents were on the scene cradling their son as he died around 6.15pm on June 8 last year. Today, as Alam, 34-year-old, of Lowesmoor Road, Sheldon, was jailed for eight years and nine months, Azaan's parents told of their devastation.

Read More: Driver who killed 12-year-old Azaan Khan in Birmingham jailed as dark history on roads revealed

In a statement they said: "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.

"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."

At court, a letter Alam had written was read out. He wrote: "No amount of words can express how sorry I am for the loss I caused to Azaan's family. 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. "

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."