THREE men charged in connection with a horror crash that claimed the life of a 22-year-old law graduate have made their first appearance before the courts.

Shumas Fakeer died when a blue Audi RS4 he was a passenger in crashed into a tree and lamppost outside the Ashfield Court sheltered housing complex in Bradford Road, Bingley, at around 4am on Sunday, February 26, last year.

His family spoke last month of their anguish on the first anniversary of the crash, saying they continued to visit his grave each day.

Yesterday, Haaris Khan, 24, of West Park Road, Bradford, and a 25-year-old – also named Haaris Khan – of Park Grove, Frizinghall, both appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court charged with causing the death of Mr Fakeer by dangerous driving.

The first defendant is accused of driving a Volkswagen Golf dangerously on the B6269 Bingley Road and B6265 Bradford Road on February 26. He is also charged with causing death by driving a vehicle without the necessary licence or insurance.

The second defendant is alleged to have driven an Audi RS4 Quattro dangerously on the same two roads on the same date.

The first defendant is also charged with committing an act with the intent to pervert the course of public justice alongside a third defendant, Aamir Khan, 25, of West Park Road, Bradford.

The charge alleges that both men provided false information regarding the identity of the driver of a motor vehicle.

Prosecutor Richard Davies said that the dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice charges were indictable-only and could only be dealt with at the Crown Court.

He made an application for all matters to be transferred to the higher court, which was granted by magistrates.

Advocates for Aamir Khan and the first defendant indicated that their clients would be entering not guilty pleas to all charges against them.

The court heard that the second defendant would not be making any indication of plea at this stage of the case against him.

The three men spoke only to confirm their names and personal details during the brief hearing.

All defendants were granted unconditional bail until their next hearing at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday, April 24.

Mr Fakeer, of Aireville Avenue, Frizinghall, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by paramedics.

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Hundreds of mourners gathered for his funeral on March 3 at the Jamiyat Tabligh-ul-Islam Masjid in Victor Street, Manningham.

Mr Fakeer’s family said their loved one had gained a law degree from the University of Bradford, and had been working at an insurance firm in Leeds before his death.

He was described as a loving family member who was never in trouble, a nice guy with no criminal record, and well-known in the community.

Last month, his uncle, Adil Shaan, said: “It is a hard time for the family a year later. His dad is trying to stay strong for his mother. They have found it very difficult.”