Punjab-origin man jailed for causing death by dangerous driving

Makwana, 25, on January 13 from Wolverhampton to Loughborough in the east Midlands, but lost control of his car while driving over the speed limit. Makwana died on the spot while he lost consciousness.

Kandola had been driving along the road in his Mercedes 220 Makwana. The Mercedes was seen overtaking another vehicle on a bend. It was later seen in a field having struck a lamppost and the emergency services were called.

Makwana was pronounced dead at the scene. Kandola was pulled from the driver’s seat by fire crews and received treatment.

When he arrived at a hospital, blood sample was taken from him to test for alcohol and illegal drugs. He gave no answer when later asked for permission to have the blood sample analysed by police. Following investigation at the scene of the collision, it was found that prior to leaving the carriageway, the vehicle had collided with the kerb on the opposite side of the road.

The Leicester Crown court was told that after the accident, Kandola planned to flee the country, buying a one-way ticket to India a few days before he was to be interviewed by police. Leicestershire police became aware of his plan and arrested him. Kandola admitted causing death by careless driving and failing to give permission for a laboratory test on a blood specimen. Neil Bannister, prosecuting lawyer, said he and Makwana had been in a relationship for just over a year.

Sentencing him on Thursday, judge Nicholas Dean said: “In the early morning of Saturday January 13 this year, you drove a vehicle in such a way that you caused the death of your then girlfriend, Tanvi Makwana. She was only 25. She had a bright future ahead of her.”

“In my judgment, you were seriously impaired by alcohol at the time you were driving…the reality may be that when you’ve served your sentence, or whilst serving it, you will be deported to India”, the judgment, reported by Leicester Mercury, a leading local daily, said.

Paul Prior, lawyer representing Kandola, said: “It’s accepted his speed led him to lose control and cause the death of his girlfriend, which he regrets deeply. He accepts he was going too fast for the road.”

“He is an Indian national and came to this country in 2011 and was looked after by his aunt and uncle. He was hoping to build a life in this country which won’t happen now because he’ll be deported back to India.”

Paul Bingham of Leicestershire police added: “Kandola admitted and has been sentenced for causing the death of Makwana by careless driving. This was aggravated by the fact he refused to allow the analysis of a blood sample taken from him at the hospital. The defendant’s extremely poor manner of driving on the day of the incident cost a young woman her life and my thoughts and sympathies remain with the family of Makwana.”

VARANJOT KANDOLA, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, HAD ALCOHOL ON HIS BREATH AFTER THE COLLISION IN WHICH HIS GIRLFRIEND DIED ON JANUARY 13