A driver and passenger who filmed themselves at speeds of over 130mph (209kmh) in a 30mph zone have been jailed over the death of a man they crashed into.
Uways Hussain and Usmon Mahmood filmed themselves inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon, running red lights and weaving through traffic before hitting 50-year-old Sylvester Abayomi, who was on his way to work.
Hussain was jailed for 11 years and eight months for causing death by dangerous driving, while Mahmood was jailed for 12 years and nine months for aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving.
Greater Manchester Police said the crash on Manchester’s Kingsway was “one of the worst disregards of speeding” officers had seen.
Sentencing at the city’s crown court earlier, Judge Nicholas Dean said the collision on 9 March was
“wholly unnecessary and entirely avoidable”.
“It was a sustained, deliberate and escalating course of highly dangerous conduct over a prolonged period,” he said.
“It was terrifying.”The victim’s partner Denise Doyle described him as “the most caring soul and gentle person you could ever meet”.”Sylvester was simply on his way to work,” she said.
“An ordinary hard-working man. He should have returned home to me safely that day. Because of your actions he never did.
“Addressing the defendants, she added: “You left Sylv to die alone. You did not show him even a shred of compassion or humanity.
“Abayomi drove on to Kingsway on a green light before he was fatally struck at around 04:36 GMT by the VW Golf GTI driven by 20-year-old Hussain, of Marley Road, Manchester.
The car, which was owned by 23-year-old Mahmood, of Buller Road, Manchester, had run a red light and was travelling at 139mph (223.7kmh) in the seconds before impact.
Following the crash, Hussain’s Apple watch automatically called 999 after detecting he had been in a collision.Unaware of the call pair were recorded talking about calling an Uber to leave the scene and reporting the car as stolen.
Judge Dean described the transcript of the call as “chilling”.”It doesn’t reveal shock or concern for the victim,” he said.
Rachael Shenton, prosecuting, said the pair left the scene and ran from officers when they were tracked down, before being arrested.
Sylvester Abayomi’s partner Denise Doyle said he was the “love of my life”Det Sgt Thomas Johnson said the case was “one of the most extreme cases of dangerous driving we have encountered” and that Hussain and Mahmood’s actions had “tragically resulted in the loss of Sylvester’s life”.
“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
“No sentence can ever truly compensate for the loss of a life, but the actions of Hussain and Mahmood show a complete disregard for the safety of others.
“We hope this outcome offers some measure of justice to Sylvester’s loved ones. We urge the public to challenge dangerous driving behaviour and report concerns to police.”
Hussain admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen.
He indicated a guilty plea at magistrates’ court – earlier in the legal process than Mahmood did.Mahmood later admitted aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting causing death by driving whilst uninsured.
Hussain, who had a previous conviction for drug-driving, was a law student who worked full-time at an airport, Neil Ronan, defending said.Clare Ashcroft, defending Mahmood, said he had been about to start an apprenticeship with Network Rail.
She added: “He is starting to understand the impact of his behaviour. In my submission he is remorseful.”GMP said the sentences were believed to be among the highest for a death by dangerous driving offence involving a single fatality.The force also said it was “one of the first times nationally where a passenger has been convicted for aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving”.
