The man who killed pregnant mum Frankie Hough in a horror crash on the M66 was FILMING himself driving at dangerous speeds at the time.
Adil Iqbal has today been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to death by dangerous driving.
Police have released footage filmed by Iqbal on his mobile phone, which shows him weaving a black BMW between cars on the motorway.
He was driving with one hand and filming himself undertaking and overtaking cars at speeds up to at least 123mph.
Shortly afterwards, the 22-year-old lost control of the vehicle, which span around and collided with Frankie’s.
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The victim’s car was stationary in the hard shoulder while she took a phone call. She had three children inside the car, who were all trapped.
Two of the children and Frankie were all unconscious, but her two-year-old son was awake and crying for his mum.
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Passers-by bravely tried to free the family from the wreckage while waiting for emergency services to reach them.
The video Adil Iqbal was recording before the crash:
Frankie Hough, 38, and the three children were rushed to hospital, but tragically she died in hospital a few days later as a result of her injuries.
Two of the children in the car were left with serious injuries and one with minor injuries.
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Iqbal was arrested at the scene of the collision near Bury, which occurred on Saturday 13 May 2023 at around 3.10pm, and remanded into custody.
He now faces 12 years behind bars as well as a further disqualification from driving for 13 years.
Detective Constable Richie Hughes of GMP’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are of course with Frankie’s family and her children who were also involved in the collision. I truly hope that the sentencing of Adil Iqbal who is a dangerous and reckless individual – brings her family and loved ones some form of closure.
Adil Iqbal, who has been jailed for dangerous driving after the death of pregnant Frankie Hough. Credit: GMP
“Iqbal’s actions that day were nothing short of appalling. He knowingly and willingly chose to drive his car at those speeds with little regard for other drivers on the motorway at the time.
“He showed absolutely no regard for the law or other road users that day.
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“Sadly, Frankie and three young children were caught up in his recklessness and we have lost another life to dangerous driving.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to warn people to please think about how you drive and the high speeds you can reach in vehicles. Think not only of yourself, but your family, your friends, your loved ones and most importantly think about other people who you could hurt.”
Heartbreaking new figures show 35% of all children in the North West are living in poverty
Emily Sergeant
35% of all children in the North West are currently living in poverty, some heartbreaking new figures have revealed.
Some new research carried out to understand regional levels of child poverty, conducted by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, has sadly revealed over a third (35%) of all children in the North West are living in what is called ‘relative poverty’, after the cost of housing is considered – which is higher than the national average standing at 31%.
Over in the Lancashire authority of Pendle, this figure reaches 45%, making it the second highest rate of all local authorities in the country.
In Greater Manchester, both Oldham and Manchester join Pendle in the list of the 10 council areas with the highest child poverty rates in the UK, as well as Blackburn with Darwen, and Hyndburn, and to make matters worse, the North West features on the list more times than any other region nationwide.
Rusholme was identified as the Manchester area with the highest percentage rating – with more than half (51.3%) of all children there living in poverty.
88% of constituencies across the North West have a quarter of children in poverty.
This could lead to things like families being forced to use food banks, children going without warm clothes in winter, or living in cold or unsafe housing.
As a result of these shocking statistics being revealed, the End Child Poverty Coalition – which represents more than 135 organisations across the UK – is calling on the Government to meet its manifesto commitment to address these high levels of child poverty, not just in the North West but also across the rest of country.
“These figures should demonstrate to Government just how important it is to quickly address this so to prevent another generation of children from growing up in low-income families,” commented Rachel Walters, who is the End Child Poverty Coalition Manager.
“The Government’s strategy to tackle child poverty must invest in children in areas with higher levels of poverty, like the North West.”
Graham Whitham, who is a End Child Poverty Coalition spokesperson and the Chief Executive of Resolve Poverty, added: “No child should go without the things they need to be healthy and happy.
“The Government’s forthcoming national Child Poverty Strategy must demonstrate a clear ambition to ending child poverty in this country, backed by specific targets and immediate investment in social security.”
Featured Image – RawPixel
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Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road to close for annual safety checks this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road is set to close this weekend while annual safety checks are carried out, it has been confirmed.
As Manchester City Council looks to maintain and improve what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that Mancunian Way is set to close overnight this weekend for its annual inspection.
Carried out every year, the Council explains that these closures ensure that ‘vital’ safety inspections can be conducted to allow the major road to continue operating as normal.
The overnight closure will take place from 7-8 June.
From 5am on Saturday (7 June), Mancunian Way will be closed in both directions along its entire length, including all slip roads, between the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street, and this will last until 7pm on Sunday (8 June), after which the road will be open to traffic again as normal.
In the meantime while the closures are underway, the Council assures that a signed diversion route will be in place via the north and eastern ring road sections – Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street – and a local diversion route will be signed via Bridgewater Street, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road Mancunian Way is closing for annual safety checks this weekend / Credit: Pixabay
During this period there will also be a lane closure east/westbound at the Deansgate Interchange between 6:30-9:30am, and the inbound lane of Princess Road (heading towards Manchester) between 6:30am and 11:15am.
As is to be expected with these kinds of tasks, Councillors say they are preparing for a ‘level of disruption’ but are intending to keep it to a minimum.
“The annual inspection of the Mancunian Way is a vital job which ensures that the tens of thousands of daily users of this road can go about their journey in safety,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment, and Transport.
“We do expect a level of disruption throughout this process so wherever possible we’d advise people to travel via public transport, or plan an alternate route ahead to avoid the work locations.
Daisy Jackson -
19th July 2023 
