A van driver who caused the death of a three-year-old girl after taking “at least 20 lines” of cocaine has been jailed for 12 years.
Rawal Rehman, 36, had last month pleaded guilty to causing the death of Louisa “Lulu” Palmisano by dangerous driving in Manchester City Centre.
Rehman, from the Lambton Road area of the city, was driving his Mercedes sprinter van on Mosley Street on 22 February, when he collided with a tram, having failed to comply with the stop signs.
He then mounted a pavement and collided with Lulu while she was walking with her parents. She later died from her injuries in hospital.
The defendant fled the scene in a taxi at around 10am, before he was arrested at a restaurant two days later as police had traced him from documents found in his van.
In his police interview, Rehman claimed his driving had not been dangerous, but he pleaded guilty at his third court hearing on 22 April.
Manchester Crown Court previously heard Rehman had taken “at least 20 lines of cocaine” in seven hours, which the prosecution alleged had adversely affected his driving.
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‘Centre of our world’
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Lulu’s family said nothing could “fill the void left by her absence”.
“Lulu was our only child and the centre of our world,” they said.
“Her joyful spirit, vivid imagination, and kind heart touched everyone who knew her. At just three years old, she brought more light and love than we ever thought possible.
“Her life was full of promise, and her loss is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.”
Rehman had spent the evening at massage parlours across Manchester and was “in no fit state to drive” on the morning of the collision, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Abbie Clarke, senior crown prosecutor for the CPS, said he “recklessly chose to get behind the wheel of his van after a cocaine binge”.
“After the collision, Rehman fled the scene in a taxi, not willing to face the consequences of his selfish actions. He now faces a hefty custodial sentence,” she added.
“Today our thoughts are with Lulu’s family – and we hope the sentence handed down offers them some solace as they mourn the tragic loss of their young daughter.”
Rehman was also disqualified from driving for 13 years and eight months and will have to pass a further test.
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Detective Inspector Andrew Page, from Greater Manchester Police, said what Lulu’s family had gone through was “incomprehensible”.
“Rehman’s callous actions on that fatal day have changed a family’s lives forever,” he added.
“This tragedy was completely avoidable and Rehman must now face the consequences of his actions.”
