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BBC News
23-04-2025
- BBC News
Louisa Palmisano: The fatal van crash that left a city horrified
A family's trip out one sunny day in Manchester became an "unimaginable tragedy" for the parents of three-year-old Louisa Palmisano, who was killed when she was hit by a van. The driver, 35-year-old Rawal Rehman, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after he struck the child, known as Lulu, on Saturday 22 February.A court heard he had taken "20 lines of cocaine" when he first crashed into a tram before his van was forced on to the pavement where the child, from Burnley in Lancashire, was walking hand-in-hand with her flagged down a taxi to escape the scene, leading to a police manhunt before he was arrested two days later. Lulu's parents had taken their daughter to the city for the weekend and were walking first along Booth about 10:00 BST, Lulu was hit after the van crashed into the tram on Mosely Street, close to Manchester Art Gallery. The tram had no time to react as Rehman had ignored the stop and warning signs and driven straight into the oncoming vehicle, according to the Crown Prosecution car then mounted the pavement and struck the girl, who was given emergency treatment as a junior doctor and other passers-by ran to was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary but her severe injuries, which included major head trauma, were too much for her to survive. Lulu was described in a tribute by her parents as the "sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl", who was full of creativity and joy, and "absolutely loved going to nursery every day". They said "The pain of losing her is unbearable and we miss her more than words can ever express."Rehman fled the scene of the crash and was arrested by Greater Manchester Police two days later on Monday 24 February. He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the offence. In the aftermath, a Manchester City Council spokesman said the incident left "all of Manchester horrified".Lulu's parents said: "In an instant, our lives were shattered beyond repair."Her absence has left a devastating void in our family. She was our only child, our whole world." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Drug-fuelled driver killed 'sweetest, kindest' little girl after '20-line cocaine binge' and visiting massage parlours
A cocaine-fuelled driver has admitted killing a three-year-old girl after an all-night drugs binge at massage parlours. Rawal Rehman, 35, had snorted '20 lines' of the Class A drug in seven hours and visited two massage parlours before the tragedy the following morning. Victim Louisa Palmisano was on the pavement in central Manchester with her parents when Rehman's Mercedes Sprinter van collided with a tram before careering into them. The youngster, known as Lulu, was on a family day out in the city when the crash happened on February 22. She was taken to hospital but died from her injuries. Rehman – previously jailed for helping an associate in the wake of another fatal crash - fled the scene but was later arrested. He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared today at Manchester Crown Court – and now faces a possible life sentence. Rachel Shenton, prosecuting, told the court that prior to the crash Rehman had visited two massage parlours. He took '20 lines of cocaine in seven hours' at the first massage parlour before leaving at 6am and going to a second venue, Ms Shenton said. The crash, on Mosley Street, happened around four hours later at 10am when Rehman failed to obey a stop sign and drove into the path of the oncoming tram. Ms Shenton agreed when Judge Alan Conrad KC told the court that the prosecution will infer Rehman's cocaine consumption meant his 'driving was adversely affected'. Passersby rushed to assist including a junior doctor and Lulu, from Burnley, Lancashire, was rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary but her injuries - including a major head trauma - were too severe. In a statement, her parents described her as the 'sweetest, kindest, and most generous little girl' who was 'full of creativity and joy' and 'loved going to nursery'. They added: '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.' Rehman was previously jailed for helping a Porsche driver who killed a pedestrian in a horrific hit-and-run collision. Craig Rodger, 25, died after he was knocked down in Chorlton, Manchester, in March, 2014. He was hit by a speeding Porsche Panamera being driven by Mohammed Basit Chaudry, 26, who had borrowed the car to impress a woman on a date. As Mr Rodger lay dying in the road, Chaudhry arranged for Rehman to torch the dumped Porsche, thus destroying vital forensic evidence, while another man Mohammed Omayr, 33, who owned the car, drove him home so he had an alibi. Rehman was jailed for 45 months at Manchester Crown Court in January 2017 after he admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. But his jail term was cut to three years after both he and Omayr took their cases to the Court of Appeal, claiming their original sentences were too severe. Judge Conrad ordered a pre-sentence report and Rehman, of Chorlton, Manchester, was remanded in custody to be for sentenced for Lulu's death on May 27. The maximum term which can be imposed for causing death by dangerous driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is life, under stiffer punishments introduced in 2022. Abbie Clarke, Senior Crown Prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service North West, said: 'This was a devastating incident which shocked our community, and our thoughts go out to Lulu's family who must bear this unimaginable loss. 'Rawal Rehman ignored the stop signs and tram warning signs when he drove straight into the path of an oncoming tram, and it is clear his driving fell far short of what is expected of a competent and careful driver. 'Rehman failed to take responsibility for his actions. 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.' Police traced Rehman from documents found in his van. He was arrested two days later, on 24 February. In his police interview he accepted that he had been driving at the time of the collision but claimed his driving had not been dangerous – and said he fled the scene in 'panic'.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Adored' woman, 93, at centre of Gatley murder investigation named as family pays tribute
The 93-year-old woman at the centre of a murder investigation in a Stockport suburb has been named as her heartbroken loved ones paid tribute. Judith Zussman, known as Judy, was found dead at a house on Altrincham Road, Gatley, on Wednesday morning (April 16). Her family said she was a 'much loved and devoted wife to her late husband Jack' and an 'adored sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother'. "Her family meant the world to her," they added. READ MORE: Missing Manchester man found dead in Tenerife READ MORE: Man had leg amputated after shotgun and machete 'hit', attempted murder trial hears Police attended at 9.38am. A cordon was put in place while detectives and forensics investigators searched the property. Judy was the widow of well-known mineralogist Professor Jack Zussman, a former University of Manchester head of department, who died last August aged 100. A photo shows Judy with Jack last summer as they celebrated his birthday. They attended the Menorah Synagogue in Sharston, Wythenshawe, not far from their home, having joined in 1975. Judy and Jack met in 1959. At the time, she was a nursing sister at Manchester Royal Infirmary. They married in 1960 and went on to have three children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, it is understood. A 39-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder. She has since been detained under the Mental Health Act. In a statement, Judy's family said: "Judy was a much loved and devoted wife to her late husband Jack, and an adored sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family meant the world to her. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support at this tragic time. We kindly ask for privacy as we process our sad loss." Greater Manchester Police said the case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous contact. Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Adam Hitchen said on Wednesday: "The priority for our investigation is understanding the full circumstances which led to this tragic incident and getting justice for the victim. "Our thoughts are with the victim's family, who are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. We recognise that this investigation may cause concern within the local community, but I want to assure the public that this is an isolated incident, with a swift arrest made, and no wider threat. "You will notice an increased presence in the area today whilst we conduct enquiries, but also across the coming days as the local neighbourhood team look to provide reassurance to those living close by." Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said: "No one should ever have to experience such a loss, and I know the whole community will share in the sense of shock and sadness at [yesterday's] news." Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 726 of April 16.
