Tottington man Gavin Andrews, 34, had been crossing Walmersley Road in Bury when he was hit by the car driven by the now 25-year-old Faizaan Haider on November 9, 2021.
More than three years on prosecutor Pierce Power told Minshull Street Crown Court of the devastating effect on Mr Andrews’ bereaved family by reading out several moving statements.
His young daughter, his mother, his father and his sisters were all among those whose lives were devastating by the Haiders’ actions that night.
A statement from Mr Andrews’ mother read by Mr Power said: “The fact that I have to see my boy at the cemetery kills me.”
After the fatal crash, Faizaan’s 43-year-old uncle Suaiel Haider, who had been one of several passengers with him that night, set the BMW ablaze in a bid to hide the evidence.
Suaiel, who the court heard was a “highly successful businessman”, denied having set the fire but did not give evidence at the trial.
The pair had been driving around Bury with several other passengers after attending a wake together earlier that day.
CCTV footage had shown Faizaan setting off fireworks in a restaurant car park and parking in a disabled bay hours before the fatal incident.
Several of the statements read by Mr Power laid out that the nephew and uncle had shown “no remorse” during the trial and sought to “manipulate” the proceedings in their favour.
The case was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss) Despite denying their roles in the fatal crash, both uncle and nephew were convicted earlier this year after a trial at the same court.
A jury of eight women and four men convicted Faizaan Haider, of Mosley Street, Bury, of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving while uninsured.
His uncle Suaiel Haider, of Langdale Mews, Bury, was convicted of committing an act intending to pervert the course of justice.
The jury decided to convict both men after only around an hour of deliberation.
Faizaan Haider was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving (Image: GMP) Simon Gurney, defending Faizaan, pointed out that he had no previous convictions and said that as an “educated young man” he still had good prospects.
He said that the 25-year-old had various positive references about his community and charity work.
Hugh Barton, defending for Suaiel, said that, despite a previous criminal record including assault, public order and motoring offences, he did a great deal to care for his family.
He said: “He is perhaps best described as a mixture of good and bad.”
Suaiel Haider was convicted of setting the car on fire (Image: GMP) But Judge Tina Landale reminded the court of how their actions had cost the life of Mr Andrews, a “loved family man with a young daughter”.
She said it was “apparent there was something of a party atmosphere” in the BMW and that she believed Faizaan had been impaired by drink and driving far too fast.
Judge Landale said: “Shortly before the collision you were described as ‘tanking it’ by another motorist.’”
She said that Mr Andrews “was entitled to cross the road, he did not behave in a reprehensible manner”.
Judge Landale jailed Faizaan to nine years and three months in prison and banned him from driving for three years, with an extended period of four years and three months.
She sentenced Suaiel to four years and three months in prison.
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Sergeant Andrew Page, of Greater Manchester Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “Today is the conclusion of a three and a half year investigation and I hope this sentence can provide some more closure to the family of Gavin.
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“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gavin’s family for their patience and dignity throughout this investigation.
“These men have shown no remorse at any point since the fatal collision and today they have seen the consequences of their actions.
“They failed to stop at the scene and made efforts to destroy the car.
“Their cowardly efforts to destroy evidence and refusal to speak when questioned by officers in custody was unacceptable knowing the harm they had caused.
“At trial, both men attempted to blame another individual for their actions in a futile attempt to evade justice.
“I hope this case highlights the hard work our officers will go to in order to bring offenders to justice who use the road network in Greater Manchester illegally.”
