A driver has been jailed for knocking down and killing a mother-of-five while speeding.

Zahir Iqbal was travelling along Mayo Avenue, Bradford, when his car struck 34-year-old Zakhira Ali as she tried to cross the road.

Yesterday, Bradford Crown Court heard Iqbal, 31, had been driving his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo at up to 50mph in the 30mph zone, and did not have valid car insurance.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said Mrs Ali had been out for a walk with a friend, Rashda Bibi, on March 29 last year, and at about 8.30pm they tried to cross at a pedestrian crossing.

He said: “They were both in traditional black clothing and so it was more difficult than it would be in other circumstances for a driver to see them.

“Rashda Bibi set off across the crossing in front of Zakhira Ali. She believed at the time it was safe to do so – she saw vehicles had stopped at a crossing just up the road to her left.

“However, as she was crossing, she heard the defendant’s car approaching. Her estimation was it was approaching very fast and, fearing for her life, she ran to the other side of the crossing.

“Zakhira Ali, who was immediately behind her, did not move quite so quickly.”

Mr Sharp said Iqbal swerved but struck Mrs Ali, who sustained multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He said Iqbal, who was on his way back from Manchester Airport after picking up his brother, stopped at the scene. When his insurance documents were checked, they were found to be invalid. The court heard Iqbal had paid about £1,000 for the policy, and believed it to be legitimate, but the person supplying it was now facing fraud charges.

At a previous hearing, Iqbal had pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention and driving without insurance.

Mitigating, Andrew Dallas said there was no evidence to suggest Iqbal had driven through a red light. He said: “These were two very hard-to-see pedestrians in the shadows, dressed as you have heard. He was focusing, as drivers often do, particularly at the end of a long journey from Manchester, on the green lights instead of what might be lurking in the shadows beneath them.”

He said Iqbal was a hard-working family man with a wife and four young children.

Judge Peter Benson QC said Mrs Ali’s death was “a terrible tragedy”.

He sentenced Iqbal, of Sherwell Rise, Allerton, to six months’ imprisonment for the two charges. He was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Iqbal smiled and waved to supporters in the public gallery as he was taken down.