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Antonio Boparan Singh, son of Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan Singh (Britain's richest couples) - facing jail

 

NRI's son 21, heir to a £130 million fortune is facing jail after leaving a baby paralysed in motoring offence in UK

 

London, April 03, 2008
Lachman Singh

NRI Antonio Boparan Singh, 21, son of Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan (Britain's richest couples) is facing jail after leaving a baby paralysed in a car crash. He has become the first person in Britain to be convicted of a motoring offence on the strength of his car's "black box" recorder.

Antonio Boparan was 19 at the time of the crash in November 2006 when he drove his mother's £57,000 powerful four-litre Range Rover Sport at 70mph on a 30mph road, had overtaken one car and was trying to pass a second when he ploughed into the oncoming Jeep at an estimated 72mph. He had passed his driving test six months before the accident.

Cerys Edwards, one-year-old, was secured in a child seat, suffered massive injuries- a broken neck and brain damage. She needs a ventilator to help her breathe and care round-the-clock.

Antonio Boparan's lawyer, Richard Langton said:

  • The maximum sentence for dangerous driving is just two years.
  • If Singh had killed Cerys Edwards , he would face a maximum sentence of 14 years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Cerys's father, former office administrator, 41, said:

  • I believe the maximum sentence of two years is absurdly lenient for what he did
  • We have been trying to concentrate on Cerys up to this point but this man has dragged us through hell.
  • By going to trial he dragged us here to stand and give evidence.
  • I can't even begin to describe how I feel about him. He has put us through absolute hell.
  • Cerys is a real little fighter and the doctors say it is a miracle that she survived. I am pleased to say that she is doing well.
  • She is trying to breathe on her own now and is fighting really hard.

Mr Langton, of Russell Jones & Walker in Birmingham, described the stance as "callous" and plans to lodge a claim at the High Court for a £1million interim payment. Boparan's insurers had refused to cover the estimated £850,000 cost of converting a house for Cerys to live in. They say they will only offer a rental property. She will need special housing and aids and equipment plus round-the-clock nursing for the rest of her life

Car's black box trapped speeding:

  • The first time such technology, Car's black box has played a role in a British court- Singh's trial used evidence from a device fitted to the airbag system of his Range Rover
  • Black box Data Recorder was used to establish that a force equivalent to 42mph was lost in one fifth of a second in the crash and it estimated that his speed at around 72mph at the time of the accident.
  • It also record a car's speed, deceleration, what gear the car was in and other information such as the pressure on a brake pedal at the time of a crash. It shuts off the fuel tanks, helping to prevent an explosion.
  • For the past 10 years the recorders has been used in the U.S. and Canada.

Car's black box trapped speeding information helped a jury to make a decision unanimously to convict Boparan of dangerous driving. Antonio Boparan pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving.

The Birmingham crown court jury also heard how five others were hurt in the November 2006 crash at Sutton Coldfield. Judge Frank Chapman said:

  • You should expect a custodial sentence and you should expect it to be at the top end of the two-year scale.
  • You need to think about things, you have made a mistake and you will have to be punished.
  • There is no point trying to get away from it. If you run away you will simply be putting it off.

Antonio Boparan's parents agreed to guarantee a £1million surety for his bail. He will be sentenced later this month.

Ranjit Singh Boparan, father of Antonio Boparan said, "This was a tragic accident that I deeply regret. My family has every sympathy for Cerys and her family"

Mrs Baljinder Boparan, mother of Antonio Boparan said, "Her son was in training to become a manager at the family firm."

 

 

 


NRI Antonio Boparan Singh, 21, son of Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan (Britain's richest couples) . He is facing jail after leaving a baby paralysed in a car crash


His parents:

The couple, Ranjit and Baljinder Boparan owners of chicken suppliers Boparan Holdings Ltd, featured in last year's Sunday Times- Rich List with an estimated £130 million fortune. The holding group has annual sales of £650million and a workforce of more than 5,500.



Cerys Edwards one-year-old, was secured in a child seat, suffered massive injuries- a broken neck and brain damage.