'My past, present and future's crushed': Partner of pregnant Hollyoaks actress killed by driver shares heartbreak
20 July 2023, 03:58 | Updated: 20 July 2023, 04:10
Footage of man who crashed into Hollyoaks actress while driving
The devastated family of a pregnant Hollyoaks actress killed by a speeding driver have shared their heartbreak after her killer was jailed for 12 years.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, was 17 weeks pregnant with her third child when she died in the crash along with her unborn daughter.
Shocking footage showed a speeding BMW driver hit 123mph on the M66 in Bury moments before he hit and killed the pregnant mum-of-two.
Her son, 9, and four-year-old nephew suffered serious brain injuries as a result of the crash. Their long-term outcomes remain uncertain, Minshull Street Crown Court heard on Wednesday.
Adil Iqbal - the driver of the BMW - has been jailed for 12 years.
Ms Jules-Hough's partner, Calvin Buckley, said in court: "My past, present and future has been crushed and taken from me.
"And for what? An adrenaline rush, an ego boost, a false sense of worth, and selfish gratification with no regards for the safety of others.
"An unnecessarily dangerous risk taking mentality that needs to change. For what? Was it worth it? The answer is no, it is not."
In an emotional statement in court, her father described her as being his "hero".
"When you received a smile from Frankie, it warmed your heart and made you feel safe," he said.
"I spent over two days without sleep, holding Frankie's hand and begging her to come back, all the time knowing that this wasn't going to happen. Frankie passed with the love of her whole family surrounding her in her bed."
Frankie had stopped on the hard shoulder with a punctured tyre at around 3pm on May 13 to take a phone call when the crash took place.
Iqbal was driving with one hand and holding his phone with the other to film himself as he tailgated and undertook other vehicles and swerved across lanes, reaching a speed of 123mph in his father's BMW car on the M66 in Bury.
Frankie had been making a call to say she was going to be late when she let out a "blood curdling scream", the court heard.
She died in hospital while her son and nephew were left in induced comas in intensive care.
Her other son, 2, was also in the car during the crash.
Iqbal admitted to causing the Frankie's death by dangerous driving, as well as serious injuries to her eldest son, though he did not enter a plea to the same charge with regards to her nephew.
Passing sentence, Judge Maurice Greene told him: "She was killed as a result of the most indescribable reckless driving by you Adil Iqbal, leading to the devastation of a family."
Following her death, a GoFundMe page was set up to help support Frankie's family in the wake of the crash.
A statement from her family read: "Words cannot express what her family and friends are going through now, not to mention her poor boys who now have to grow up without their mummy and sister they never got to meet.
"This is devastating! Frankie touched the lives of so many with her beautiful kind soul! Heaven has gained a true angel! May she rest in eternal peace with her baby girl!
"Frankie is now looking over the boys and we are sure she will be working her healing magic to make sure the boys pull through this."
Solicitor Rose Gibson-Harper, who represents the victim's family, said: "Today's 12-year sentence is insulting and an injustice to the catastrophic injuries little Tobias sustained, and the life sentence Mrs Hough's family were needlessly handed following her and her unborn daughter's death due to an act of sheer stupidity."
More than £50,000 has been raised in her name so far.
Frankie was known for being an actress in Hollyoaks, having played Jess Holt on the show from 2000 to 2001.
Hough also appeared in Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is and Wire in the Blood.
Solicitor Rose Gibson-Harper, who represents the victim's family, said: "Today's 12-year sentence is insulting and an injustice to the catastrophic injuries little Tobias sustained, and the life sentence Mrs Hough's family were needlessly handed following her and her unborn daughter's death due to an act of sheer stupidity.
"Last year, judges were given the power to hand down greater sentences to those convicted of death by dangerous driving - previously, the maximum tariff was 14 years but it was increased to life imprisonment.
"This case stands as one of the worst examples of dangerous driving I have witnessed in my 27-year career as a catastrophic injury lawyer, and we expected the justice system to fulfil its duty and utilise its new-found powers.
"It is important to emphasise that dangerous driving is not a game. It has real and devastating consequences, and we must collectively work towards creating a society that values responsible driving and prioritises the safety of all road users.
"We urge everyone to reflect upon this tragic incident, which should serve as a wake-up call for humanity."
