Driver jailed for crash that killed 'devoted dad'

A driver who was seen "dangerously overtaking" other cars before killing a young father in a crash has been jailed.

Hizar Hanif, 31, died at the scene in Soho Road, Handsworth, after the Audi A4 ploughed into the back of the car he was a passenger in.

Mohammed Ali, 27, whose car reached speeds up to 90mph, also hit another car, seriously injuring its driver, and verbally and physically assaulted a police officer, said West Midlands Police.

Ali, who pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court last month, was jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving and other offences on Friday, according to the force.

Ali, from Robert Road in the city, was also jailed for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and assaulting a police officer.

At the hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, he was also banned from driving for four years and six months on his release.

Hanif and his friend were preparing for his friend's wedding the following week and were travelling to collect suits when they were hit by the Audi, police said.

The second man suffered minor injuries "but is still recovering from the loss of his best friend today," the force said.

A statement from Hanif's wife read out in court described how "that day my life changed forever".

"I don't understand how one minute life was perfect, and then it wasn't," she said. "This should never have happened. I have no peace and I'm living on autopilot."

She said of her son: "No child should have to experience grief so young".

"Hizar was everything to our family," she added. "A loving husband, a devoted father, son, brother and the heart of our family.

"His loss is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives."

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