Two individuals have been sentenced for causing the death of a compassionate man in a reckless driving incident described by the police as one of the most severe cases they have ever encountered.
Sylvester Abayomi, aged 50, lost his life in a collision on Kingsway, Manchester, in March, due to the actions of Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23.
The court was informed that the two individuals, deemed highly dangerous, recorded themselves speeding at up to 139mph in a 30mph zone. Hussain, the driver, and Mahmood, the passenger, were captured on video consistently traveling at speeds exceeding 100mph in a Golf GTi.
On multiple occasions, the duo exceeded 130mph, eventually running a red light and colliding with Mr. Abayomi’s vehicle. He sustained severe injuries and tragically passed away shortly after 4:30 am on March 9.
The sentencing took place at Manchester Crown Court, where Hussain was handed an 11-year and 8-month prison term, while Mahmood received a 12-year and 9-month sentence.
Prosecutor Rachel Shenton disclosed that the Golf was recorded at 139mph just five seconds before the crash, with the impact occurring at 99mph.
In the lead-up to the accident, Hussain was seen driving recklessly, one-handed, at high speeds, running red lights, maneuvering through traffic erratically, and inhaling nitrous oxide while driving. Authorities described it as one of the worst cases of speeding disregard they had witnessed.
Mr. Abayomi was en route to work when he entered Kingsway in his Volvo S40 on a green light, only to be fatally struck by the two offenders who disregarded a red light.
Following the collision, the pair discussed fleeing the scene, tampering with evidence, falsely reporting the car as stolen, and planning an escape via Uber. Their conversation was inadvertently recorded by Hussain’s Apple watch, which detected the impact and made an emergency call.
Mahmood, the Golf owner, was overheard remarking, “You just wrapped my whip bro,” and they contemplated booking a quick Uber ride and expressed concerns about their DNA being on the airbags, failing to check on Mr. Abayomi’s condition.
Upon police arrival, Hussain was tracked through his watch, found hiding in a garden, and had to be subdued with a taser. Initially denying his role as the driver, he later asked about the incident, claiming ignorance.
Mahmood was also discovered in a nearby garden, where several nitrous oxide canisters were found in the vicinity.
Judge Nicholas Dean KC condemned the duo for showing utter disregard for other road users’ safety, engaging in risky behavior seemingly for thrill-seeking. The footage of their driving was described as terrifying and far beyond any safe or legal limit.
Regarding their post-crash actions, the judge criticized their decision to flee instead of offering assistance, highlighting their discussions on evading responsibility.
Hussain, from Burnage, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, receiving a reduced sentence of 11 years and 8 months due to his plea. It was revealed that he had previously been banned from driving for drug-related offenses.
Mahmood, from Levenshulme, admitted aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving, marking one of the rare instances where a passenger has been convicted for such charges. His guilty plea led to a 12-year and 9-month imprisonment.
Both individuals will serve at least two-thirds of their sentences and face an eight-year driving ban. They must also undergo extended driving tests before regaining their driving privileges.
In a poignant victim impact statement, Mr. Abayomi’s partner, Denise Doyle, shared the emotional toll of losing her beloved partner and the profound impact his death had on her life.
After the court proceedings, she paid tribute to her late partner, describing him as a caring and beloved individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Johnson from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit expressed condolences to the victim’s family and emphasized the need to report dangerous driving behaviors to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
