Law Student and Friend Jailed 24 Years After Killing Nigerian Driver

​A law student and his passenger have been jailed for a combined total of more than 24 years following a “terrifying” high-speed collision in Manchester that claimed the life of an innocent 50-year-old Nigerian man.

​Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, were high on nitrous oxide and recording themselves on their phones as they reached speeds of up to 139mph in a 30mph zone. The reckless joyride ended in tragedy when their VW Golf GTI slammed into a vehicle driven by Sylvester Abayomi, who was simply on his way to work.

​The fatal collision occurred at approximately 4:30 AM at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway in Manchester.

​’You Left Him to Die Alone’

​During an emotional sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court, the victim’s partner, Denise Doyle, delivered a poignant statement directly to the defendants.

​”Sylvester was simply on his way to work. An ordinary, hard-working man,” Doyle said. “He should have returned home to me safely that day. Because of your actions, he never did. You left Sylv to die alone. You did not show him even a shred of compassion or humanity.”

​The court was shown harrowing CCTV and mobile phone footage of the events leading up to the crash. The defendants were seen inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons, running red lights, and weaving erratically through traffic.

​Prosecutor Rachel Shenton told the court that Hussain was behind the wheel while Mahmood, sitting in the passenger seat, was captured on film shouting encouragement to drive faster.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Betrayed by Smartwatch Technology

​In a twist of irony, the defendants’ attempt to evade justice was foiled by technology. Following the catastrophic impact, an Apple Watch worn by Hussain automatically dialed 999 after detecting a severe collision.

​The emergency line remained open, unwittingly recording the two men as they plotted to flee the scene. The “chilling” transcript revealed the pair discussing ordering an Uber to escape and planning to report the VW Golf as stolen. Judge Dean KC noted that the audio showed absolutely “no shock or concern for the victim.”

​The men subsequently fled the scene on foot and attempted to run from police officers before they were tracked down and arrested.

​’Amongst the Highest Sentences’

​Greater Manchester Police noted that the sentences handed down are believed to be among the harshest ever recorded for a dangerous driving offense involving a single fatality.

1.Uways Hussain was sentenced to 11 years and eight months’ detention. He had previously pleaded guilty at magistrates’ court to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen.

2.Usmon Mahmood was jailed for 12 years and nine months. Despite initially claiming to police that he tried to warn Hussain, he ultimately admitted to aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and driving while uninsured.

​Sentencing the pair, Judge Dean KC remarked: “They drove at extreme speeds, seemingly up to very nearly 140mph, on roads which were by and large subject to 30mph speed limits, far, far in excess of any safe or lawful limit.”

​Cut-Short Futures

​Defense barristers stated that both young men had promising futures before the incident. Neil Ronan, defending Hussain, noted that his client was a law student who worked full-time at an airport. Clare Ashcroft, representing Mahmood, stated that her client was on the verge of beginning an apprenticeship with Network Rail, adding that he was now remorseful and beginning to understand the profound impact of his behavior.