Two men have been jailed for causing a fatal crash in Manchester while inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons at speeds of up to 139mph in a 30mph zone. Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after the death of 50-year-old Sylvester Abayomi on 9 March.
Hussain, the driver of a VW Golf GTI, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen. He was sentenced to 11 years and eight months' detention. Mahmood, the front-seat passenger, admitted aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting causing death while uninsured, receiving a 12-year and nine-month jail term.
The court heard that the pair filmed themselves inhaling nitrous oxide, running red lights, and weaving through traffic before the collision at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway at 4.30am. Prosecuting, Rachel Shenton said Mahmood was heard shouting encouragement. Following the crash, Hussain's Apple Watch automatically called 999, but the pair discussed calling an Uber to leave the scene and reporting the car as stolen.
Judge Dean KC described the footage as 'terrifying' and the transcript of the 999 call as 'chilling', noting no concern for the victim. The men fled the scene and were later arrested. Greater Manchester Police said the sentences are among the highest for a death by dangerous driving offence involving a single fatality.
