Driver who killed girl, 3, in crash after snorting 20 lines of cocaine is convicted gang leader FREED from jail early
A DRUG-driver who killed a three-year-old girl just hours after taking “at least 20 lines of cocaine” is a convicted gang leader released early on appeal.
Louisa Palmisano, known as Lulu, had been walking along the pavement with her parents when she was knocked down by a van in Manchester city centre.
Driver Rawal Rehman, 35, who fled the scene, had been on an all-night drugs binge while visiting two massage parlours.
He left after 6am, just four hours before he smashed into a tram and then mounted the pavement, mowing down Lulu on February 22 in his Mercedes Sprinter.
Rehman, of Chorlton, Gtr Manchester, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Manchester crown court on Tuesday and will be sentenced next month.
He’s previously served two stints in jail – the first in 2017 for his involvement in a fatal hit-and-run, and the second just a year later for heading up a criminal gang in south Manchester.
Armed with machine guns, the criminal network dealt cocaine and cannabis across the region.
Rehman was jailed for 11 years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
He told his gang members to make sure they “carried a piece” when transporting drugs.
Rehman was one of four thugs jailed for almost 32 years in February 2018 at Manchester crown court.
It’s understood he served half of his sentence before being released.
While caged for that offence, Rehman was already serving a jail term for his role in a horror hit-and-run.
Craig Rodger, 25, died after he was knocked down in Chorlton by Porsche driver Mohammed Chaudry, 26.
As Mr Rodger lay dying in the road, Chaudhry arranged for Rehman to torch the dumped motor, destroying vital forensic evidence.
Rehman was jailed for 45 months at Manchester crown court in January 2017 after he admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
But he had nine months shaved off his sentence when his jail term was cut to three years at the Court of Appeal after his lawyers argued his punishment was too severe.
In a statement following Lulu’s tragic death, her heartbroken parents described her as the “sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl”, adding: “Her absence has left a devastating void in our family.
“She was our only child, our whole world.
“We were simply enjoying a happy family day out in Manchester when this unimaginable tragedy struck. In an instant, our lives were shattered beyond repair.
“The pain of losing her is unbearable, and we miss her more than words can ever express.”
A GoFundMe page for Lulu’s family has raised over £6,000 within hours of being launched.
Following Rehman’s guilty plea, Abbie Clarke, senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Rawal Rehman ignored the stop signs and tram warning signs when he drove straight into the path of an oncoming tram.
“He fled the scene in a taxi and denied that he drove dangerously in interview, only accepting responsibility on his third hearing before the court.
“He must now face the consequences for his role in this wholly avoidable tragedy.”