GRIEVING parents reacted with anger when they discovered during an inquest that a driver has been convicted over the accident which led to their son’s death.
Faiz and Azkra Malik are demanding to know why they were not told that Mansoor Hussain was 12 months ago found guilty of careless driving before hitting a lamppost in Orient Way, Leyton, in June 2007.
Their son, Amjid, a passenger in the car and was left vegetative state, while Mr Hussain suffered only minor injuries.
Mr Malik was being cared for at Albany Nursing Home in Leyton and despite showing signs of improvement at the end of last year, died suddenly from pneumonia on December 22.
Steven Gilbert, a retired police officer who investigated the crash, told the inquest on Thursday that Hussain, of Manor Road, Leyton, was fined £300 last March.
He said analysis of the car damage showed Hussain was travelling at least 38 mph in a 30 mph zone, but may have been driver even faster in the wet conditions.
But because the exact speed could not be proved, a conviction for the more serious offence of dangerous driving was not pursued.
The offence of causing death by careless driving did not exist at the time of the accident.
Mr Malik’s father said: "Why were we not told about this? We would have wanted to go to the court and see what happened."
The family is angry that Hussain was not jailed or disqualified from driving and may push for the police file to be re-opened.
Sabrina Durrani, a close friend of the family, said: "It is disgusting that he has got off so lightly, you can get £80 for a parking ticket, so £300 for a life is a joke, its a slap on the wrist."
Mr Malik appeared fine when a nurse checked on him at 5.30am on December 22, but an hour later he was dead.
Coroner Dr Elizabeth Stearns, recording a verdict of accidental death at Walthamstow Coroners Court, said the cause of the death was bronchial-pneumonia, but the "underlying cause" was severe head injuries sustained during the car accident.
Mr Malik a former pupil at Kelmscott School in Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, was due to start a new job at Stansted Airport.
His mother Azkra said: "He was very caring, friendly and attentive, he was loved by everyone."
Mr Malik leaves his parents younger sisters Marriam and Hajra and younger brother Harram.
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