Two held over car death of girl, nine

Shamirah Grant died after being struck by a vehicle near a communal area close to Leopold Grove in the Chapeltown area of Leeds.

Police were called to the scene of the accident at around 8.25pm on Tuesday following reports that three young female pedestrians had been injured after being struck by a green Vauxhall Astra.

Beatrice Mwamba, 34, has appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court alongside her partner Brice Nguetcuessi, 34, both charged with causing death by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting death by dangerous driving, West Yorkshire Police said.

The couple were remanded in custody, a spokesman added.

Shamirah was taken to Leeds General Infirmary but died of her injuries shortly after arrival.

A 13-year-old girl was also taken to hospital with serious injuries and has since undergone surgery to her leg and is continuing to recover, while an 11-year-old was also treated for leg injuries following the incident.

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed the green Vauxhall Astra being driven in the area near to Leopold Grove or the collision itself to come forward.

The parents of the youngster have described their daughter as “the life and soul of the family”.

Her father Gary said: “She was wonderful. She liked singing and dancing. She was a real natural comedian. She kept the whole house entertained. She was an organiser. She was a really loving and caring person. We called her ‘the small people’s defender’.

“She was very capable but she was an artist. She liked to draw.”

Shamirah lived with her mother Jennifer and had two brothers and three sisters.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Inquiry Team.