Who and where is Rashid Ali? Driver who killed Jack Ryan and fled the UK amid guilty verdict

A new Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, Hunting Britain's Fugitives, shines a spotlight on the case of Rashid Ali, the driver convicted of causing the death of runner Jack Ryan, whose partner was pregnant at the time, before fleeing the UK and avoiding prison.

The documentary follows journalist Matt Shea as he investigates how convicted offenders have been able to leave Britain while awaiting trial and sentencing, and even manages to track down Ali overseas for an extraordinary phone call.

But for Jack Ryan's family, the case is not just about one dangerous driver – they're working hard to highlight Britain's creaking justice system, which they say has failed them for more than five years.

Rashid Ali is the man convicted of causing the death of 29-year-old Jack Ryan by dangerous driving, after hitting him at almost double the speed limit as he crossed a road near Battersea Bridge in south-west London on 13 January 2021.

The court heard Ali was driving a Range Rover Sport at between 39mph and 41mph in a 20mph zone when he accelerated through amber traffic lights instead of stopping, hitting Ryan who had been out for a run. Ali's girlfriend was in the passenger seat of the car at the time of the collision, according to the case's sentencing remarks, and it was her phone that called 999 for help.

Ali remained at the scene to answer police questions and passed a breathalyser, eye test and there were no mechanical faults found with his car.

Sadly, despite medical treatment, Ryan died at the scene from catastrophic injuries.

Ali then fled to his home country of Pakistan before standing trial and was convicted in his absence in 2024. He was later sentenced to five years in prison and banned from driving, but has never returned to the UK to begin serving his sentence.

Jack Ryan was a marketing executive and devoted Aston Villa supporter whose death devastated those closest to him. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the case is that Ryan was preparing to become a dad when he was killed.

His sister, Ciara Ryan, tearfully recalls in Dispatches how her brother was simply out for a run when he was struck by Ali.

In a joint statement, Jack's parents Noel and Teresa Ryan, sister Ciara Ryan and partner Elizabeth Austin said: "Losing Jack has changed us forever and our family has been shattered. We all carry the trauma of what happened to Jack with us every single day of our lives.

"As well as losing a son, brother and friend, a beautiful little baby girl will never get to meet her father."

They described Jack as being a "funny, kind-spirited man with a great love for life and a fierce love for his friends, his partner Liz, his family and his beloved Aston Villa."

One of the most painful aspects of the case for the Ryan family is that Ali left the UK before his trial and has never returned. Ciara Ryan says Ali repeatedly promised he would come back if found guilty.

"We actually had a number of emails from him via his barrister," she says in the documentary. "Saying he was under a great deal of stress, he wasn't going to turn up to face trial but would return if found guilty."

He was subsequently found guilty unanimously by a jury. Ciara says she believes Ali feels remorse, but says that is not enough. "I can appreciate that he's sorry, I don't question that he's sorry. But I can't forgive putting our family through what he has."

She added: "He didn't go out with the intention to kill Jack that evening. The main thing is taking accountability for his actions and there's none of that there."

During filming, Dispatches uncovered social media posts appearing to show Ali travelling internationally after his conviction.

The programme found videos apparently showing him at what looked like his own wedding, visiting Dubai's Burj Khalifa and dining at a luxury London restaurant, however Channel 4 said it was unable to independently verify when the footage was filmed.

Reporter Matt Shea then obtained a phone number listed on a business website connected to Ali and called him directly.

The Old Bailey, where Ali was due to appear

During the conversation, Ali said he was in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah and claimed serious illness had prevented him from returning to Britain. "I was terminally ill, and still I am," Ali said. When asked what illness he had, he replied, "Tuberculosis and some other health issues."

However, when challenged about apparent international travel, Ali insisted he still planned to return. "I definitely will travel to London mate, and I've told them I'm coming back in 2027."

Ali also claimed that police have accepted this and refused to say whether or not he'd been back in the UK since being sentenced.

Speaking of Jack Ryan's family, he said, "I feel sorry for them and I definitely will face justice mate. Everyone will see."

The Ryan family have now launched the Justice For Jack Ryan campaign, which is calling for urgent reforms to Britain's bail laws after Ali was allowed to retain his passport while awaiting trial.

Campaigners argue that offenders facing serious criminal charges should be required to surrender their travel documents to prevent them fleeing abroad.

The group is also campaigning for Ali's extradition from Pakistan so he can begin serving his prison sentence. "We will not have full closure until Rashid Ali has faced the courts and served his sentence," the group has said.

Ciara says she would prefer Ali to honour his promise and return voluntarily. "I would like Rashid Ali to come back of his own accord," she explains in the documentary. "He said he would come back and face consequences if found guilty. He was found guilty unanimously."

If he does not, she wants government support to bring him back to Britain.