A speeding BMW driver has been jailed for five years and three months for killing 21-year-old Kingston University student Hina Shamim by mowing her down while "showing off" in Penrhyn Road.

Farid Reza, 36, of Surbiton Road in Kingston, was today found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after jurors gave a majority verdict following a two week trial at the Old Bailey.

The court had heard how he had been "racing" on March 31, 2015 before Reza’s BMW hit Miss Shamim as she was crossing the road to study at the library.

William Spicer, 28, of Somervell Road in Harrow, was also speeding in Penrhryn Road and faced the same charge.

He was found guilty of careless driving.

From the trial: Kingston University student Hina Shamim killed as 'two men racing' in Penrhyn Road 'showed off to each other', court hears

In a statement read to the court, dad Khan Shamim said: "On the day Hina died a part of me died with her. Her death has left a void in my life that can never be filled.

"I had waited so long to become a father so the day of her of birth was the happiest day of my life.

"Hina was everything, Hina was a delightful child who grew up to become a compassionate and selfless woman. She had so much to live for.

"My wife and I had nurtured so many dreams for Hina's life but sadly none of these will ever be fulfilled. She was robbed of her life and we have been robbed of a daughter and my sons a sister.

"Each morning, I wake up hoping it was a bad dream but sadly that will never be the case." 

Hina's brother Harris gave an emotional address outside the Old Bailey following the verdict, saying it "would not bring our sister back".

Surrey Comet:

Tributes left to Hina, who was known to her friends as Hyena, at the scene of the crash

Reza waved at his family in the public gallery, who could be heard crying loudly, as he was sent down.

Both he and Spicer had been going at least more than twice the 30 mph speed limit.

Five children were travelling in Reza’s BMW, with one suffering a fractured skull, a fractured jaw bone and a fractured collar bone.

The court heard during their trial that both men had been "racing" before Reza hit Miss Shamim as she was crossing the road to study at the library.

In sentencing, Judge Richard Marx accepted this was not the case, but did say Reza had been "showing off".

He sentenced Reza to five years and three months for one count of death by dangerous driving and three years for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, to run concurrently.

Judge Marx said: "She was knocked over and killed by you.

"The reason why this terrible tragedy occurred was because you were travelling at a grossly excessive speed.

"Had you been travelling at the speed limit the overwhelming likelihood is that this collision would have been avoided.

"You had four children in the back of the car, two of them were not wearing seatbelts and booster seats were not being used.

"The fact that you were prepared to drive at that speed in the circumstances with those young children who were in your vehicle with who you had care and responsibility is in fact a serious matter.

"I bear in mind that you have expressed remorse for what happened.

"That is a point that would have carried a great deal more weight had you not contested these allegations.

From the trial: Farid Reza, BMW driver accused of killing Kingston University student 'tried to escape fellow speeding driver', Old Bailey hears

Reza had claimed he had been trying to escape Spicer after angering him by “cutting him up” at a junction, leading Spicer to chase him down Penrhyn Road.

He said it was the memory of his dad being “beaten” following a road rage-induced assault when he was roughly 11 years old that led him to grow fearful of Mr Spicer.

The alleged cut up was not caught on CCTV.

Reza, a Kingston shopkeeper, was also forced to deny suggestions he had a reputation as a racer when questioned by the prosecution.

The court heard of he has been ostracised by members of the public, having his tyres slashed and people enter his shop to shout "murderer" at him.

Spicer, a fellow Kingston University student, was driving with friends after going to a pizza restaurant.

He argued that despite also speeding he was in complete control of the car.

Surrey Comet:

Farid Reza has been found guilty of death by dangerous driving

Spicer was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to one of the children in Reza's car, but was found guilty of careless driving.

Spicer was given nine points on his driving license, along with a £1,500 fine, £500 of which to go towards the prosecution's costs.

Miss Shamim was in her final year as a sports science student when she was killed.

Her family say that in the aftermath of her death a Just Giving page was set up, leading to approximately £24,500 being raised.

The money has been used to build a mosque in an impovrished area of Pakistan.

Speaking outside the court, Jeff Edwards, of the Met’s serious collisions investigations unit, said: “I think I’m just relieved that it’s all over, it’s been a very difficult case. They are a truly amazing family.

"I think the circumstances of the collision are so unnecessary, just total disregard shown by Mr Reza (with) his decision not to plead guilty and prolong the victims’ anguish and agony.

"It’s beyond comprehension that someone can be driving at motorway speed in a designated 30mph zone. Noone is going to be expecting to see drivers driving at those speeds.

"It’s the devastation to the family – this will go on for years and years as they come to terms with what’s happened."

Surrey Comet:

William Spicer was found guilty of careless driving

CPS reviewing lawyer Robert Davis said: “Hina would still be alive if it had not been for this senseless piece of dangerous driving.

“The prosecution evidence, which included forensic collision reports from police experts, CCTV and witnesses proved beyond doubt that Reza’s driving caused the death of Hina, and seriously injured a child in his car.

“Police forensic collision investigators said that if Reza had been driving at the speed limit, he would have had time to brake after seeing Hina and come to a halt without hitting her.

“Our sympathies go out to Hina’s family and we hope these convictions offer some solace for the loss of their daughter.”