Leeds Racers Jailed for 28 Years Over Mother and Daughter Deaths

The incident occurred shortly after 8.30am on 16 January 2023, as families made their morning commutes. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that Justyna Hulboj and her four-year-old daughter, Lena Czepczor, were walking to school when Bhachu lost control of his vehicle while racing. The car mounted the pavement, struck the mother and child, and subsequently collided with the exterior wall of the Vertu Jaguar Leeds car dealership. Both victims sustained catastrophic injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Hardeep Bhachu, residing on Grant Row Adel in Leeds, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court in June 2024 to two counts of causing deaths by dangerous driving. Returning to the same court, Judge sentenced Bhachu to 12 years behind bars. Meanwhile, Jasskamal Riyat, of Buckstone Avenue in Moortown, Leeds, contested the charges, leading to a full trial in August 2024. CCTV and dashcam footage presented during court proceedings conclusively proved that Riyat had been actively racing Bhachu immediately prior to the collision. Riyat was subsequently found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and received a 16-year custodial sentence.

Addressing the broader legal ramifications, the presiding judge imposed six-year driving bans on both defendants, which will come into effect upon their release from custody. Furthermore, both men will be legally mandated to pass an extended driving test before they are permitted behind the wheel of a motor vehicle again. Legal analysts speaking to Daily Dazzling Dawn noted that these sentences reflect the judiciary's increasingly severe stance on reckless street racing within urban residential areas.

Reflecting on the conclusion of the judicial proceedings, Detective Inspector Paul Conroy of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team shared a statement with Daily Dazzling Dawn. Detective Inspector Conroy stated that a woman and her young daughter died because of the reckless actions of these two individuals, noting that no sentence will ever feel sufficient to compensate for the lives lost. Furthermore, Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that the sentencing hearing marks the conclusion of a protracted legal process for the grieving family, bringing a measure of closure over two years after Bhachu initially admitted his role in the tragedy.