Tragic Frankie's partner: Iqbal's three-year jail term increase is 'a bitter pill to swallow'

Today (Friday) the Court of Appeal in London ruled that the custodial sentence given to the dangerous driver who killed pregnant Chadderton actress, Frankie Jules-Hough, was “unduly lenient”.

Adil Iqbal’s jail term was increased by just three years; from 12 years to 15 years.

On Saturday, May 13, Iqbal filmed himself recklessly driving his BMW on the M66 in Bury, before losing control and crashing into 38-year-old Frankie’s Skoda Fabia. 

Frankie was parked on the hard shoulder following a puncture. 

The impact killed her and her unborn daughter, Neeve.

Today’s appeal poignantly falls on the due date of Neeve.

Frankie’s partner, and father to Neeve, Calvin Buckley said: “The judgement today is not what we were hoping for and is a bitter pill to swallow. 

"I ask the question what more does somebody have to do to get a life sentence for causing death by dangerous driving?

“I am disappointed that another opportunity has been missed to try and clamp down on the growing issue of dangerous drivers and lawlessness on Britain’s roads.

"No number of years can compensate for our loss. 

"We were all given a life sentence that day.”

Calvin is represented by Polly Herbert, Partner at Hugh James, who said: “In my 20 years of supporting families bereaved or who have suffered life-changing injuries on our roads, I had never seen such a horrific case of prolonged and dangerous driving.

"Not only was Mr Iqbal driving intentionally in this way but filming it for “likes”. 

"The absolute disregard for anyone on the road was clear. 

"It is akin to going into a building and waving around a loaded gun and filming yourself doing it. 

"The risks and consequences to human life are the same. 

"Legislation was meant to make this clear to the criminals who take these risks and it is up to the Courts to ensure they face their own consequences. 

"Calvin and Frankie’s family, and potentially the further five families who will receive that death message today, deserve confidence that our criminal justice system will deliver.”

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