Two Manchester brothers have been found guilty of killing a father and seriously injuring his nine-year-old son in a horrific crash as they raced each other home.
Brothers Convicted in Fatal Crash
Abubakr Yusaf, 31, hugged his brother Umar, 35, both optometrists, in the dock at Mold Crown Court, North Wales, as he was led away to the cells. He was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing next month.
Prosecutors said the brothers had been racing and were a 'car crash waiting to happen' when Abubakr's BMW crashed into a Toyota Yaris driven by Rhys Jenkins, killing him and seriously injuring his nine-year-old son.
On Tuesday, Abubakr was found guilty by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving. He was also uninsured at the time of the tragedy in mid Wales in November 2024.
Umar, who has three children, was in the car behind Abubakr. He was convicted of causing death and serious injury by careless driving. He was granted bail with an overnight curfew ahead of sentencing.
Judge Timothy Petts warned him: 'It's overwhelmingly likely you, too, will be going immediately to prison alongside your brother.' Abubakr Yusaf's sentence, added the judge, was probably going to be in 'double digits'.
Judge Petts said: 'It's inevitable there will be prison sentences, in particular for Abubakr Yusaf a very long prison sentence for what he did on that night.'
The Tragic Incident
The brothers, of Esmond Road, Cheetham Hill, had disputed racing each other in BMW and Audi cars during a 150-mile trip home to Manchester from Aberystwyth. They denied causing the death of motorist Rhys, 41, a rugby referee, from Deuddw, Powys, on the A483 in November 2024. But both were found guilty by a jury on Tuesday.
Abubakr was driving a BMW and Umar an Audi between 6pm and 6.30pm on November 16, 2024, when the tragedy occurred south of Welshpool.
Prosecutor David Mainstone said the brothers were racing home, with Abubakr Yusaf 'egged on' by his brother. 'Both were responsible for the fatal collision,' he added.
The BMW had travelled on to the nearside verge before 'fishtailing', going out of control into the oncoming lane and into the Toyota being driven by Mr Jenkins. Airbag data showed the BMW was travelling in excess of 63mph at the moment of impact, the prosecution said.
'This tragic incident was caused when Abubakr Yusaf’s speed and reckless overtaking manoeuvres caused him to lose control of the BMW,' Mr Mainstone said. 'When he attempted to correct that loss of control the BMW veered completely into the oncoming lane. Mr Jenkins had no opportunity to take evasive action or otherwise avoid the collision.'
He and his son paid 'the terrible price', Mr Mainstone added. Abubakr Yusaf had been 'egged on' by his brother, the prosecutor said.
Van driver Ryan Jones said there was a 'deep thud' when the collision occurred. A Toyota Yaris spun and ended in a ditch. The injured boy, called Ioan, had been unconscious, the witness said. Mr Mainstone asked Mr Jones whether he was surprised by what happened. He replied: 'No. It was inevitable. You can't be driving that fast on those roads.'
The prosecutor said Ioan was flown by air ambulance to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
After the smash, the Audi had stopped in front of the heavily damaged BMW. The brothers left the scene after one had said: 'Come on let’s go, let’s go,' the prosecutor claimed.
Mr Jenkins died at the scene. The defence suggested the smash was caused by mud on the road.
Family Statement
Carrie Jenkins, the widow of Rhys Jenkins, said in a statement after the case: 'Following the conviction, I would like to thank the court, the Jury, the CPS, police and all those involved in this trial, including the many witnesses who came forward. The loss of Rhys in such an unexpected and unnecessary way has been devastating, but our focus as a family has been to rebuild our lives, and to make the most of each day, as Rhys would have wanted, with the support of our friends and community.'
'I hope the publicity surrounding the crown court case highlights to others the dangers of driving at speed, and acts as a reminder that we all have a responsibility when we get behind a wheel.'
