A pregnant woman suffered devastating consequences after a 16-year-old driver’s reckless actions caused a severe collision in Solihull, yet the teen avoided immediate jail time.
The Collision on Cooks Lane
On May 17, 2022, at around 7:30 p.m., Usman Qasim, then 16, drove a BMW he had purchased for £650 over a speed bump on wet Cooks Lane in Chelmsley Wood. The vehicle became airborne, skidded across the road, and collided head-on with a Toyota Aygo driven by 14-weeks-pregnant Rumana Akhtar.
Prosecutor Thomas Griffiths described how Mrs. Akhtar’s husband witnessed the blue BMW traveling at high speed, launching into the air before slamming into their car. The impact inflicted severe damage and left Mrs. Akhtar with life-altering injuries, including internal abdominal bleeding that resulted in the loss of her unborn baby. She underwent multiple surgeries and now faces uncertainty about future fertility.
Qasim fled the scene, while one passenger remained to assist and was briefly arrested before charges were dropped. That passenger later told police he had urged Qasim to slow down.
Victim’s Lasting Trauma
Mrs. Akhtar, previously active with two jobs, gym sessions, and mountain climbing, now battles post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She feels nervous in cars and struggles with daily life.
“Emotionally I’m a wreck. I lost my baby and I’m still grieving,” Mrs. Akhtar said. Family holds children in high regard, making her potential infertility a profound blow. Her husband’s injuries proved minor by comparison.
Investigation and Identification
Evidence from a phone in the BMW revealed Qasim’s Facebook messages about buying the car that day, along with photos and videos of him driving timestamped shortly before the 7:32 p.m. crash. Police used these in a media appeal, identifying Qasim in April 2023—nearly a year later.
Initially, Qasim denied driving, but evidence confirmed his role. Now 19 and residing on Wychbold Crescent in Kitts Green, he has prior convictions for careless driving, unlicensed driving, and no insurance. He was released from detention in early 2025.
Court Sentencing
At Birmingham Crown Court on March 9, Qasim pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving but arrived late. His barrister, Antonie Muller, explained he felt scared and was savoring his last free moments.
Muller highlighted Qasim’s turnaround: starting college, aspiring to own a gym, and focusing on mental health and fitness. “He has changed his life around and chooses a different life. He’s very sorry for the life he did lead and the consequences,” Muller said.
Judge Stacy Newnham-Payne called the victim’s impact “hard-hearing” and stressed the gravity: “The consequences of your actions are so significant, life-changing… You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and disregarded the risk of danger to others. Your speed was highly inappropriate for the road and conditions.” Probation reports noted speeds of 40-50 mph in a 30 mph zone.
Despite this, the judge reduced the sentence by 50% due to Qasim’s youth, rehabilitation efforts, severed ties with negative peers, and prosecution delay. He received an 18-month sentence suspended for two years, a two-year driving ban, 20 days of rehabilitation, and 200 hours of unpaid work.
