Two men have been jailed for a fatal crash in Manchester after inhaling nitrous oxide and driving at speeds up to 139mph in a 30mph zone. Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for the death of Sylvester Abayomi, 50, who was on his way to work.
The court heard that on 9 March, the pair filmed themselves inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon, running red lights, and weaving through traffic before the collision at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway. Hussain, driving a VW Golf GTI, hit Abayomi's car at 4.30am.
Abayomi's partner, Denise Doyle, told the court: 'Sylvester was simply on his way to work. An ordinary hard-working man. He should have returned home to me safely that day. Because of your actions he never did.' She added: 'You left Sylv to die alone. You did not show him even a shred of compassion or humanity.'
Hussain was sentenced to 11 years and eight months' detention after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen. Mahmood was jailed for 12 years and nine months after admitting aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting causing death by driving while uninsured.
Judge Dean KC described the footage as 'terrifying' and noted that the pair's Apple watch automatically called 999 after the crash, but they discussed calling an Uber to leave the scene and reporting the car as stolen. The judge said the transcript was 'chilling' and showed no concern for the victim.
Greater Manchester Police said the sentences are believed to be among the highest for a death by dangerous driving offence involving a single fatality. Both defendants had been due to start apprenticeships or studies, with Hussain a law student and Mahmood about to begin an apprenticeship with Network Rail.
