'My world collapsed': Dad's heartbreaking tribute as racing pair jailed for causing deaths of mum and daughter
‘I will have to live with the burden of losing the two most important people in my life for the rest of my life’
A heartbroken dad has spoken of how his “world collapsed in one second” on the day two men were jailed for causing the deaths of his four-year-old daughter and fiancée in a Leeds crash.
Justyna Hulboj, 27, and four-year-old Lena Czepczor died at the scene after they were struck by Hardeep Bhachu’s powerful Audi TT RS just after 8.30am on January 16, 2023.
Bhachu and Jasskamal Riyat were today sentenced to 28 years in prison for causing their deaths by dangerous driving.
Car salesman Riyat, 37, was found by a jury to have been racing against Bhachu, before he lost control and ploughed into the pair as they walked along Scott Hall Road on their way to school.
Recorded on Riyat’s phone and through Bhachu’s own dashcam, they were heard congratulating each other on the power of their cars, with Riyat “egging him on”. They began to race, with Riyat accelerating away first, followed by Bhachu who then put his foot down.
Eventually, Bhachu, 29, accelerated away and Riyat, was heard laughing on his own phone footage, and saying: “Watch this guy let it off. He is gone.” Seconds later, Bhachu lost control.
In a victim impact statement, Justyna’s fiancé and Lena’s dad said the “nightmare” of their deaths will last for the rest of his life.
“Before January 16, 2023, my life was a fulfilment of my deepest dreams, I had everything that was most important in life,” the court heard. “I had a good job, a wonderful fiancée, Justyna and a wonderful daughter, Lena.
“Unfortunately, on the morning of January 16, when I said goodbye to my family with the words “I love you”, I didn't know that it would be the last time I saw them. When I was informed about their deaths, my whole world collapsed in one second.
“Every day I feel a huge void after their departure, and I imagine what it would be like if they were still alive. We had so many plans and dreams and in one moment it all ended. I know that I will have to live with the burden of losing the two most important people in my life for the rest of my life.”
Speaking on behalf of Bhachu, of Grant Row, Adel, defence counsel Susannah Proctor said her client was “deeply ashamed and remorseful,” and must live with the “devastation he caused.”
In mitigation for Riyat, defence counsel Mohammed Latif said his client wished to express his “deep felt regret and sorrow” for his actions and wishes that he could “turn back time.”
Judge Ray Singh sentenced Bhachu, who pleaded guilty to causing their deaths in June 2024, to 12 years in prison.
Riyat, of Buckstone Avenue, Moortown, who initially denied responsibility and was convicted after a trial, was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
They were both handed six year driving bans and will be required to take extended driving tests.
Addressing the defendants, Judge Singh said: “A road is not a race track and a powerful car is not an invitation to test its limits on a public road.
“Justyna and Lena should have gone to school that morning. They should have returned home and they should have continued with their lives.
“Instead, their lives ended on a pavement because two drivers chose to drive in a manner which placed speed and competition above the safety of everyone around them.”
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paul Conroy, of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, said today marked the end of a long criminal justice process for Justyna and Lena’s family.
“A woman and her young daughter have died because of the actions of these men, and I know no sentence will ever feel enough to compensate for the lives that have been lost,” he said.
“This sentencing hearing though does mark the end of a long criminal justice process for Justyna and Lena’s family.
“It is over two years since Bhachu admitted his part in this tragic incident and I know that the wait for justice has taken its toll. My thoughts are firmly with them today.”