Sister of Dangerous Driver Sentenced for Role in Fatal Redditch Crash; Landmark RIPA Conviction Secured
Redditch, UK – June 28, 2025 _ In a landmark case, Sanaa Shahzad, 20, of Farndon Close, Redditch, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for her involvement in a fatal crash caused by her brother, and for refusing to provide police with the password to her mobile phone — becoming the first person in West Mercia Police history to be convicted under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) for such a refusal.
The sentencing took place on Friday, June 27, at Worcester Crown Court, where Shahzad stood before the court for her actions connected to the tragic incident that claimed the life of 65-year-old Valerie Ayres and left her husband, David Ayres, 70, with life-altering injuries.
The Fatal Crash: A Family’s Life Shattered
The crash occurred on April 23, 2024, when Khizer Ali, 24, Shahzad’s brother and a resident of the same address, was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Golf driving recklessly and without a valid license or insurance. He struck the Ayres’ vehicle — a Vauxhall Meriva — head-on while speeding at 59mph in a 40mph zone on the A441 Alvechurch Highway at approximately 2:30 p.m.
The Ayres couple, from Alvechurch, had been driving into Redditch for an afternoon shopping trip when the collision occurred with no warning or opportunity for avoidance. Valerie Ayres died at the scene. Her husband David was left with injuries so severe that his quality of life has been permanently altered.
Shahzad’s Role in the Tragedy
During the investigation, it was discovered that Sanaa Shahzad had allowed her brother Khizer Ali to drive the Golf, despite knowing that he was unlicensed and uninsured. Before Ali took the wheel, Shahzad had already lent the car to another unidentified man, further highlighting her disregard for road safety and responsibility.
In addition, dashcam footage from the Golf captured Shahzad herself driving recklessly and at excessive speeds through Redditch earlier the same day, reinforcing her complicity in the lead-up to the fatal crash. She was convicted of dangerous driving, and on May 16, she pleaded guilty to two counts of permitting the use of a vehicle without valid insurance or a license at Redditch Crown Court.
Refusal to Hand Over Phone Password: RIPA Conviction
In a critical turn during the investigation, Shahzad was found to have refused to provide police with the password or PIN to her mobile phone, despite being ordered under Section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The refusal obstructed a broader investigation into the events and digital communications surrounding the crash.
Shahzad later changed her plea to guilty on the RIPA charge, marking a notable first for West Mercia Police, who successfully secured a conviction and sentencing under the provision — a rarity in UK legal proceedings.
Sentencing and Court Orders
At Worcester Crown Court, Shahzad was sentenced to:
- 12 months’ imprisonment for her combined driving offenses (dangerous driving and permitting unlawful use of a vehicle)
- Three months’ imprisonment for the RIPA offense (to run concurrently)
- A three-year and six-month driving ban
- A requirement to take an extended retest before being eligible to drive again
Judge and prosecuting officials condemned Shahzad’s actions as reckless, irresponsible, and evasive, underscoring the seriousness of her refusal to cooperate with digital investigations in the aftermath of a deadly crime.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
The tragic loss of Valerie Ayres and the long-term harm inflicted on David Ayres has left a deep scar in the Redditch and Alvechurch communities. The case has also sparked wider discussion about the importance of accountability in cases involving dangerous driving and digital evidence obstruction.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police stated:
“This was a horrific and entirely avoidable tragedy. While nothing can bring Valerie back or undo the harm to her husband, we hope that this case sends a clear message: dangerous driving will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and obstructing justice—particularly through refusal to cooperate with lawful digital investigations—will not be tolerated.”
Legacy and Lessons
The sentencing of Sanaa Shahzad, while offering some closure for the grieving Ayres family, also highlights the increasing importance of digital compliance in criminal investigations, and the tragic ripple effects of reckless behavior behind the wheel.
Khizer Ali, the driver who caused the fatal crash, is facing separate charges and proceedings for causing death by dangerous driving and related offenses.
The memory of Valerie Ayres, a much-loved wife, friend, and community member, continues to be honored by those who knew her — and serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences that come from a single moment of negligence on the road.