A senseless act of recklessness turned deadly when 24-year-old learner driver Khizer Ali, without a full license or insurance, caused a horrific head-on crash that killed 65-year-old Valerie Ayres and left her husband, David, 70, with life-changing injuries. The devastating incident, which unfolded in April 2023 in Redditch, Worcestershire, has now culminated in justice being served in court.
On May 16, 2025, Ali was sentenced to over 11 years in prison for a series of offences, including causing death by dangerous driving. His sister, Sanaa Shahzad, who facilitated his illegal use of the vehicle, has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. This tragedy not only highlights the grave consequences of dangerous driving but also raises questions about the accountability of those who enable such actions.
A Tragic Journey to the Shops Ends in Disaster
It was supposed to be an ordinary day. Valerie Ayres and her husband, David, were heading into Redditch for a shopping trip—something they did together regularly. But their routine outing ended in devastation on April 23, 2023, when their Vauxhall Meriva was struck head-on by a Volkswagen Golf driven by Ali, a man who should never have been on the road.
According to West Mercia Police, Ali had only a provisional driving licence and was uninsured at the time of the crash. Driving at dangerous speeds—up to 62mph in a 30mph zone—Ali’s reckless behaviour was captured on traffic surveillance systems prior to the incident. He was seen driving aggressively, speeding through local roads, ignoring lane markings at a roundabout, and narrowly avoiding collisions, including a near-miss under a railway bridge.
Moments before the collision, Ali exited a roundabout onto Alvechurch Highway “at full throttle.” He lost control of the car, crossed into oncoming traffic, and slammed into the Ayres’ vehicle. The force of the impact not only killed Valerie instantly but also pushed their car into another vehicle behind them. Ali fled the scene on foot and was later arrested at his home by police.
Read : Car Crashes Into Crowd of People Outside LaLiga Match at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium
The community was left shocked and mourning. The consequences of that moment of lawlessness and negligence would ripple far beyond the twisted wreckage of the vehicles. A family was shattered, a life was lost, and an elderly man was left with permanent physical and emotional scars.
Sentencing of Khizer Ali and Sanaa Shahzad
Following a thorough investigation, Ali faced the full weight of the law. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing death while driving without a licence or insurance.
Watch the Video here : https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/9Mr3ro7X
On May 16, 2025, he was sentenced at Redditch Crown Court to 11 years and three months in prison. Additionally, he was banned from driving for 12 years and six months, a measure that many feel is justified given the scale of his offences.
Detective Constable Rose Hughes of West Mercia Police expressed the sentiments of many when she stated, “He should never have been behind the wheel of this car as he did not hold a full driving licence.
Ali should never be driving again. Offenders like him have no place on our roads.” The message was clear—reckless driving would not go unpunished, and those who flout the rules of the road would face severe consequences. But the legal net extended beyond Ali himself. During the investigation, police uncovered that his sister, 20-year-old Sanaa Shahzad, played a key role in the events leading to the crash.
It was revealed that she had given her brother a “lesson” over the phone, despite knowing that he was unqualified and uninsured. Shahzad, also of Farndon Close in Redditch, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or permitting the use of a vehicle without valid insurance or a licence. Her sentencing is scheduled for June.
This case sheds light on a disturbing trend where unqualified individuals are enabled by friends or family members to drive illegally. Though Shahzad may not have been physically present at the scene, her involvement—whether negligent or complicit—was a contributing factor in the chain of events that led to a fatal crash. It underscores the importance of responsibility not only for drivers but for those who allow or encourage illegal behaviour on the roads.
A Family’s Pain and the Irreplaceable Loss of Valerie Ayres
The emotional aftermath of the crash has been profound. The loss of Valerie Ayres has left an unfillable void in the lives of her loved ones. Her husband, David, now left to cope with both physical injuries and emotional trauma, offered a heartfelt tribute to his late wife: “Val was the life and soul of the party, we did everything together. My life has been turned upside down, I can’t express how much I miss Val and wish the whole thing never happened.”
Their daughter Lucy spoke of the gaping hole left in their family: “Mum was the glue in our family and kept us going. The times we spent together are now some of the most cherished memories I have. I cannot put into words what this man has taken away.”
These deeply personal tributes reflect the real human cost of careless driving. It’s not just statistics or news headlines—it’s about lives destroyed, families torn apart, and futures stolen. Valerie’s death is not just a legal matter; it is a moral reckoning for everyone involved.
Photographs released by West Mercia Police show a smiling couple, Valerie with short hair and glasses, and David in a flat cap with a gentle expression—moments of happiness now frozen in time. They were on their way to shop, an innocent act, when their lives intersected tragically with the recklessness of a young man behind the wheel.
The broader implications of this case are significant. It calls for renewed attention to the risks posed by unlicensed and uninsured drivers, as well as the responsibilities of those who provide them with access to vehicles. It is also a reminder of the need for consistent law enforcement and public awareness campaigns focused on road safety.
As the community continues to mourn and process the aftermath, the sentencing of Ali and the forthcoming sentence for Shahzad mark a form of closure—but not an end. For the Ayres family, the road ahead remains filled with grief, adjustment, and a longing for what was lost. But through justice, perhaps there can also be healing.