Weeks after he drank himself into a stupor, knocked on a woman’s door in Burnley before sexually assaulting her, Asadul Karim, 31, was again drunk but this time killed a Cambridgeshire man whilst driving at 100mph.
A CambsNews investigation has shown both offences happened in 2021 but both cases only came to court this year.
Karim was jailed in February for nine months at Burnley Crown Court after being convicted of sexual assault.
In July he was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court to 12 years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving while disqualified and without insurance.
This week, and as part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) summer drink and drug drive campaign, crash examiner Detective Sergeant Craig Wheeler has used the example of Karim’s drink drive conviction to highlight the perils of drink driving.
DS Wheeler said: “An innocent man died as a result of Karim’s actions, which caused unimaginable pain to this family.
“We unfortunately see cases like this across Beds, Cambs and Herts where people selfishly drink or take drugs and then drive, putting their own lives and others at risk.
“Our family liaison officers have to tell innocent and unexpecting families that their loved ones have died as a result of people not abiding by the law.
“The message is simple, do not drink or take drugs and drive – get organised, order a taxi or a designated driver. Don’t risk the lives of innocent people on the roads who are just driving to get home.”
DS Wheeler, who examines the cause of crashes on roads in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire, said he investigated the death of Mark Rulman, 36, who was killed instantly after Karim crashed into the side of his car at 100mph.
Karim, 31, of Mitcham, London, lost control of his Mercedes at a roundabout near Huntingdon on 12 July 2021, killing Mr Rulman, from Warboys, instantly.
Karim was jailed for 12 years for causing death by dangerous driving while disqualified and without insurance.
He was driving a silver Mercedes along the A141, approaching the Spittals Interchange roundabout, near Huntingdon, at about 11.30pm on 12 July 2021.
Karim lost control of his vehicle on the approach to the roundabout and ploughed into the side of the Honda Civic.
Mr Rulman, who had been waiting at a red light in his Honda, was killed instantly.
Karim failed a breath test, providing a reading of 103 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath – almost three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms – and he was found to be disqualified from driving, with no insurance.
Karim pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, while disqualified and without insurance.
Det Sgt Wheeler said: “This horrifying case has brought unimaginable heartache to the victim’s family.
“Karim knew he had consumed alcohol, but selfishly he had no regard for the safety of others. He made the decision to drive intoxicated, whilst he was already disqualified from driving and in a manner and speed which was incredibly dangerous.”
In a tribute released at the time, Mr Rulman’s family said: “Mark was a private man with a great sense of fun and a sharp but sarcastic sense of humour. His quick wit and insight were key to his character, endearing him to his many friends.
“He had a very analytical, scientific mind and a thirst for knowledge. He was also a keen gamer, lover of music and film and a life-long New England Patriots fan, having been born in Maine, USA.
“Loved and adored by his family, he will be deeply missed by his family and friends alike. Goodnight Mr, Brachiosaurus!”
In February, Karim was jailed for nine months at Burnley Crown Court for sexual assault.
The court heard how in May 2021, Karim found himself in Burnley and just before 10pm knocked on the door of a woman, aged 79, before entering and sexually assaulting her.
The Lancashire Telegraph reported that “in a victim personal statement, the woman explained how the incident had left her in fear of going out and it was only in the last month or two that she had gained the courage to do so again.
Prosecuting, Ember-Jade Wong said the victim had become suspicious of people she didn’t know and had lost a lot of confidence, needing to ask her family to run errands for her.
She said: “She became extra vigilant within her own home and had next to no contact with her friends and stopped going to the dinner club for pensioners which she used to attend at the community centre.”
The Lancashire Telegraph added: “Offering mitigation for Karim, who has four convictions for six offences, a Mr Payne said the offence was committed spontaneously and was partly down to the fact Karim had been in drink at the time.
“Karim was handed a nine-month jail sentence and told to sign the sex offender’s register for 10 years.”
The sentence was later referred to the Attorney General under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.
A member of public asked for it to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
