Appeal Launched Over Feb Fatal Collision

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a fatal collision on the M4 close to Heathrow Airport. Officers were called at 9.50pm on Friday 30 September, to reports of two cars in collision between junctions two and three, on the westbound M4. The London Ambulance Service also attended, and a driver, Jamal Mahamaud, 25, a security guard, of Kentish Town, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said that a black Vauxhall Corsa, which was being driven by Mr Mahamaud, had collided with a silver Peugeot 307, while they were travelling in the same direction along the motorway. The other vehicle received minor damage and the driver was unhurt. A post-mortem examination took place on Tuesday 4 October at Fulham Mortuary, giving the cause of death as severe head and neck injuries. Officers from the MPS Road Death investigation unit are investigating. Detective Constable Phil Haffenden said: "I am appealing to any drivers who may have been on the same stretch of motorway at the time of the collision. It happened at a point where the road bends to the left, just before the service station. I believe that there would have been a number of drivers heading out of London or travelling towards Heathrow who may have seen the incident and I advise them to come forward and speak to us."

Smuggler Sentenced To 11 Years Over Heroin Find

A drug smuggler that imported heroin hidden in a consignment of vegetables has been jailed following a joint operation by the Middlemarket Drugs Partnership and the UK Border Agency. Ali Amir Shah, 44, of Pillbox Walk, Colchester, Essex, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty of conspiracy to import two kilos of heroin with a street value of around £80,000. The drugs were discovered after UK Border Agency officers examined a shipment of mooli - a variety of East Asian radish - that had arrived from Heathrow Airport on a flight from Pakistan in February 2011. Officers found the vegetables had been cut open and hollowed out to make space for the drugs which were then stuffed into the cavities before the mooli was glued back together. This resulted in Middle Market Drugs Partnership launching a pro-active policing operation which identified Shah as being involved. Shah was found responsible for collection and custody of the drugs within the UK, taking them to a secure location in order for them to be distributed within London.

Other News In Brief

Dangerous drivers would face far serious consequences if they injure or kill someone due to their rash driving under new plans unveiled by the Justice Secretary Ken Clarke. Under the proposals, the sentences for causing serious injury by dangerous driving' will more than double the current maximum sentence of two years, allowing the courts to impose tougher punishments on dangerous drivers. 'We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes,” the Justice Secretary said. "Making our roads safer is a priority - five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety." Ellen Booth, from charity Brake, which supports bereaved and seriously injured victims of road crashes, said: "This new offence finally means that serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families."

(DW/CD)