Driver runs red light and kills ‘loving and gentle’ girl, 9, in front of family

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This is the moment just before a ‘happy and funny’ 9-year-old girl was run down by a driver who ignored a red light.

Alice Williams was crossing the road with her mum and brother in Halifax when a speeding driver hit her after failing to stop at a red light.

The young girl died two days later from a ‘catastrophic’ brain injury in July 2023.

Qadeer Hussain, 55, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in February and was sentenced to eight years and five months in prison at Bradford Crown Court.

Alice Williams. Photo released May 2 2025. A dangerous driver who sped into and killed a nine-year-old girl crossing the road outside her school has been jailed for eight years and four months and banned from driving for 10 years and two months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Qadeer Hussain, 55, was driving at 49mph in a 30mph zone when he ploughed in to Alice Williams, who was crossing the road ahead of her mum and her six-year-old brother outside her school in Halifax, West Yorks. Today (Fri), Bradford Crown Court heard that cars had been stopped in the left lane of the dual carriageway at a red signal for seven seconds when the dangerous driver ploughed into the young schoolgirl in the right-hand lane on the morning of July 8, 2023.
Alice was described by her family as ‘a funny, loving and gentle daughter’ (Picture: West Yorkshire Police / SWNS)

Alice’s family and West Yorkshire Police have released footage of the moments leading up to the tragic incident in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding.

CCTV and dash came video shows Hussain driving around town in a black Vauxhall Corsa in the lead up to the fatal collision.

When the lights at King Cross Street turn red, cars pause at the pedestrian crossing and Alice walks out onto road with her family.

The lights had been red for seven seconds when Hussain’s Vauxhall Corsa can be seen speeding straight towards the right light.

The video pauses just as the black car is about to ram into the 9-year-old girl.

The court hears that Hussain had initially claimed he was only travelling at up to 30mph and that Alice had run towards the car.

Qadeer Hussain. Photo released May 2 2025. A dangerous driver who sped into and killed a nine-year-old girl crossing the road outside her school has been jailed for eight years and four months and banned from driving for 10 years and two months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Qadeer Hussain, 55, was driving at 49mph in a 30mph zone when he ploughed in to Alice Williams, who was crossing the road ahead of her mum and her six-year-old brother outside her school in Halifax, West Yorks. Today (Fri), Bradford Crown Court heard that cars had been stopped in the left lane of the dual carriageway at a red signal for seven seconds when the dangerous driver ploughed into the young schoolgirl in the right-hand lane on the morning of July 8, 2023.
Qadeer Hussain, was sentenced to eight years and five months behind bars (Picture: West Yorkshire Police / SWNS)

Officers later discovered he had been driving at 49mph.

Alice’s family hope the footage will encourage others to consider the consequences of dangerous driving.

They said in a statement: ‘Qadeer Hussain destroyed our daughter Alice and devastated us.

‘We want drivers to look at Alice and think about what can happen when they take risks and drive too fast.

‘We assume that her killer regrets his actions today.

‘We are very grateful to all the people who have helped us – the medical staff who tried to save her, the charities who have supported us, the police and witnesses.

‘Their videos proved what he did and we urge anyone who can to please buy a dashcam.

Alice Williams. Photo released May 2 2025. A dangerous driver who sped into and killed a nine-year-old girl crossing the road outside her school has been jailed for eight years and four months and banned from driving for 10 years and two months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Qadeer Hussain, 55, was driving at 49mph in a 30mph zone when he ploughed in to Alice Williams, who was crossing the road ahead of her mum and her six-year-old brother outside her school in Halifax, West Yorks. Today (Fri), Bradford Crown Court heard that cars had been stopped in the left lane of the dual carriageway at a red signal for seven seconds when the dangerous driver ploughed into the young schoolgirl in the right-hand lane on the morning of July 8, 2023.
Alice’s family said the driver Qadeer Hussain destroyed their daughter and devastated them (Picture: West Yorkshire Police / SWNS)

‘Lastly, we want our wonderful girl to be known for more than just her tragic, needless death.

‘Alice was ours – a happy, bright bookworm; a funny, loving and gentle daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.

‘We will always be so proud of her.’

Alice’s devastated brother told the court in a statement that he wants to ‘live in a house with four people again, not three’.

Hussain’s barrister said the driver ‘did not want to drive again’ after the collision after Alice’s death and ‘felt genuine remorse’.

Detective Sergeant Steve Suggitt of the Major Collision Enquiry Team said the dashcam footage was crucial in securing Hussain’s conviction.

He added: ‘Today’s sentence will not bring Alice back to her family, but I hope it provides a level of closure that Hussain has been prosecuted for his actions.

A man who killed a 9-year-old girl after failing to stop at a red traffic light in Halifax has been jailed. Qadeer Hussain, aged 55, has been sentenced for causing the death of a 9-year-old girl by dangerous driving after a collision on King Cross Street on 8 July 2023. Alice Williams was taken to hospital with critical injuries and passed away a few days later. A black Vauxhall Corsa, driven by Qadeer Hussain was travelling along King Cross Street, towards the town centre when the collision occurred. Hussain of Essex Street, Halifax admitted at Bradford Crown Court in February of this year to causing the death by dangerous driving. Today, Friday 2 May 2025, he was sentenced to 8 years a 4 months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years and 2 months.
Qadeer ignored the red light at the pedestrian crossing(Picture: West Yorkshire Police)

‘This was a truly tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Alice’s family and those affected by what happened.

‘We would like to thank everyone who assisted with our enquiries, including those who provided dash cam footage.

‘This footage was crucial for the investigation team in understanding the movements of the vehicle in the moments leading up to the collision, which helped in securing the charge against Hussain.

‘We would also like to thank those who came to Alice’s aid immediately after the collision and we hope that this incident acts as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences families can be left to face and for the need to stay safe on the roads.’

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