A private hire driver who was banned from driving after his 64-year-old passenger died in a car crash has failed in a bid to get the length of the disqualification reduced.

Bradford magistrates imposed an 18-month driving ban on married Nazam Azam after he was convicted of careless driving .

Azam, who had held a private hire driver's licence since 1995, was prosecuted after Eileen Kavanagh suffered fatal injuries when his Toyota pulled out into the path of a Range Rover travelling along Thornton Road.

Mrs Kavanagh, a widow with four sons, was killed instantly in the collision 14 months ago.

Azam was fined £200 by the magistrates after he was found guilty of careless driving.

Yesterday he appealed against the length of the ban, but after hearing submissions from Azam's barrister, Judge James Barry, sitting at Bradford Crown Court with two magistrates, dismissed the application. Barrister Richard Gioserano conceded from the outset that the application could be seen as a rather optimistic appeal. He pointed out Azam, of Back Northfield Place, Bradford, had no previous convictions for driving matters.

Judge Barry told Azam they would have imposed the same ban as the magistrates.

Azam was ordered to pay £125 towards the costs of the appeal.