A FAMILY has hit out at the release of a driver prosecuted over the death of their 12-year-old daughter.

Amy Houston was knocked down and left to die by an Iraqi illegal immigrant.

Now Amy’s dad has spoken of his distress at hearing that the driver has been released from a deportation centre.

Aso Mohammed Ibrahim knocked down Amy Houston while already on bail for driving while disqualified.

He had twice been banned from driving when he ran off leaving the schoolgirl trapped beneath the wheels of his black Rover in Newfield Drive, Blackburn.

Ibrahim was jailed for four months for driving whilst disqualified and failing to stop after an accident.

Since her death, Amy’s family have fought to have Ibrahim deported from the country, and campaigned for an Amy’s Law, which would mean that causing death while disqualified from driving would be made a recognised offence with stiffer penalties.

Amy’s father Paul Houston shed tears of relief last October when the Iraqi Kurd was taken into the custody of the UK Border Agency while it was decided whether he should be deported.

Speaking at the time, Government officials pledged Ibrahim, who was thought to have used up all his means of appeal, would be removed from the country ‘at the earliest opportunity’.

But earlier this month, Ibrahim won a court appeal against him being detained while his deportation case is processed.

The family have not been told how long it will take for a final decision to be made as the case involves looking at new evidence.

Mr Houston, of Argyle Street, Darwen, said: “I’m very disappointed.

"It’s very frustrating, and the immigration officials have an impossible job when judges knock them back.

“The politicians talk big but I see no action.

“He’s used up so many resources. How many appeals does he get?

“But this just makes me more determined. If I didn’t fight then another person would find themselves in this position and I don’t want anybody else’s kid to get killed.

“It’s my duty as a father to see this through to the end.”

A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said it could not say how long it would take before a decision was made on Ibrahim’s case.

She said: "We are extremely disappointed at the court's decision — the UK Border Agency vigorously opposed bail for this man.

"Individuals with no right to remain in the UK will sometimes attempt to frustrate the removals process, but the public can rest assured that we will continue to jobs" target="_blank">work towards their removal as quickly as possible, presenting our position strongly at any appeals to ensure the appropriate outcome.”

She added: “This is by no means an acceptance of his right to stay in the country.”

Ibrahim will have to report regularly to a police station for the conditions of his bail.

Since Amy’s death in November 2003, Ibrahim has married and fathered two children in Blackburn.

He claims it is too unsafe for him to return to Iraq.

Amy’s family campaigned for year’s after her death for an Amy’s Law to be introduced.

As a response to pressure, in 2007 the Government introduced longer custodial sentences for people who cause a death whilst driving a motor vehicle whilst disqualified or uninsured.

Blackburn MP and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, said he would be taking up the issue of Ibrahim’s release from custody.

He said: “I am very concerned at the decision and I’m making arrangements to speak to the family and also with the Home Secretary.”