A teenager who taught himself to drive by watching YouTube videos has been jailed for nearly seven years after killing a 78-year-old grandfather in Middleton.
Terence James died after being struck by a Nissan Micra driven by Ruhul Islam on Shawbury Street on September 29, 2024. The 16-year-old had borrowed the car to make takeaway deliveries at the time of the offence.
Dangerous driving before crash
Manchester Crown Court heard how Islam was seen overtaking and undertaking vehicles, running red lights and weaving between lanes in the moments before the crash. He turned right from Grimshaw Lane into Shawbury Street and struck Mr James as he crossed the road.
Prosecuting, Philip Hall told the court Islam "cut the corner by a significant margin". Mr James suffered a serious head injury and was rushed to Salford Royal hospital, where his condition deteriorated and he never regained consciousness. His family made the decision to withdraw life support the following evening.
Attempt to hide driving
The court heard Islam initially tried to hide that he had been driving and instead said his older brother was behind the wheel. Investigators later found Islam and his 16-year-old friend had been making deliveries for Chilli Pot takeaway in Middleton - a business owned by family friends - at the time of the offence.
After an investigation established Islam had been behind the wheel, both brothers were arrested at their home in Chadderton on November 24, 2024. In part of a police interview read to the court, Islam admitted teaching himself to drive by watching videos on YouTube and manipulating his brother, who has autism, to get the keys to his car.
Sentence and impact
Passing sentence, Judge Kate Cornell said: "The vehicle essentially became a dangerous weapon in the hands of someone unable to use it." She said Mr James would still be alive had Islam driven on the correct side of the road, telling him: "That momentary lapse of judgement caused the tragedy that everyone in this room has to deal with for the rest of their lives… None of them will ever be the same again."
In emotional statements read to the court, Mr James' grandson Harry James described him as a "soft and kind" man who was the "glue of the family". Caroline, one of Mr James's four children, described her father as the "kindest person I knew", saying he "would do anything for anyone and wouldn't hurt a fly".
Islam pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after initially pleading not guilty. He also pleaded guilty to causing death while unlicensed and uninsured and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to six years and 11 months and disqualified from driving for eight years after his release.
