Adil Iqbal's jail time extended for killing Frankie Hough

Adil Iqbal was originally sentenced to 12 years behind bars but campaigners argued this was not long enough.

Appeal judges have extended the boxing coach's sentence by three years to a total of 15 years in prison.

Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing Hollyoaks star Frankie Jules-Hough

The man was sentenced after recording himself driving at speeds of 123mph (Danny Lawson/PA Wire) (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

The appeal judges said the original sentence was unduly lenient after they heard that he had filmed himself driving at speeds of 123mph before losing control of his vehicle.

In July, Adil Iqbal was sentenced at Minshull Street Court in Manchester for causing the death of the former Hollyoaks actress, from Chadderton in Oldham, and her unborn baby on the M66 near Bury.

Iqbal, 22, of Hope Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to the charges after also causing serious injuries to Frankie's nine-year-old son, Thomas and her four-year-old nephew, Tobias.

Frankie's other son, two-year-old Rocky, was also in the car when the 38-year-old stopped on the hard shoulder of the motorway with a punctured tyre moments before the tragic event.

Thomas and Tobias were both placed in an induced coma in intensive care.

Adil Iqbal (Image: Lancs Police)

Lord Justice Bean, Mr Justice Murray and His Honour Judge Anthony Leonard oversaw a Court of Appeal hearing in London.

Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson had argued that the sentence was unduly lenient and asked for a review, with the appeal judges ruling in Mr Tomlinson’s favour.

“This is the worst case of bad driving any of us can recall,” Lord Justice Bean told the court.

“We find it hard to imagine a worst case of bad driving than this one.”

He said the case was exceptional.

Frankie had pulled on to the hard shoulder of the motorway with a puncture, judges heard.

She was making a call to say she would be late when she let out a “blood-curdling scream”, they were told.

Frankie who was 17 weeks pregnant, suffered unsurvivable brain injuries, the court heard.

She died two days later without regaining consciousness and her unborn daughter could not survive.

Previously, solicitor Rose Gibson-Harper, who represents the family said of the original sentence: “Today’s 12-year sentence is insulting and an injustice to the catastrophic injuries little Tobias sustained, and the life sentence Mrs Hough’s family were needlessly handed following her and her unborn daughter’s death due to an act of sheer stupidity.

“Last year, judges were given the power to hand down greater sentences to those convicted of death by dangerous driving – previously, the maximum tariff was 14 years but it was increased to life imprisonment. This case stands as one of the worst examples of dangerous driving I have witnessed in my 27-year career as a catastrophic injury lawyer, and we expected the justice system to fulfil its duty and utilise its new-found powers.

“It is important to emphasise that dangerous driving is not a game. It has real and devastating consequences, and we must collectively work towards creating a society that values responsible driving and prioritises the safety of all road users. We urge everyone to reflect upon this tragic incident, which should serve as a wake-up call for humanity.”

The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said: “Adil Iqbal’s driving that day ripped apart a young family that had so much to look forward to – not least welcoming a new baby. It is deplorable enough that he was travelling at such excessive speed but endangering lives further by filming himself was simply inexcusable.

“I am pleased the court has recognised the severity of his crimes and hope Iqbal’s increased sentence sends a stark warning to people who think it is acceptable to drive at high speeds and put the lives of others in jeopardy. You risk being punished to the fullest extent of the law.”