Tragic: Vikki Spear was fatally knocked down while crossing a Manchester road

The family of a student killed by a speeding taxi driver last night condemned his £250 fine as 'disgraceful'.

Vikki Spear, 20, a psychology student at Manchester University, was hit by Raja Ahmed's car as she crossed the road after a night out.

Ahmed denied careless driving, claiming he was only doing 25mph.

But Judge Tim Devas ruled that he must have been driving above the 30mph limit.

He had the power to ban Ahmed from driving and fine him up to £5,000.

Miss Spear's mother Madelaine said: 'He was speeding and wasn't paying attention in a well-lit area. I will never get my daughter back but he only gets a fine.'

There is no offence of causing death by careless driving, although one is due to be introduced later this year.

Cathy Keeler, of the road safety group Brake, said: 'A £250 fine for causing a death through illegal driving does nothing to recognise the devastating loss of life.'

Ahmed, 49, of Salford, Manchester, received six points on his licence.

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