Uways Hussain, 20, was driving a VW Golf GTI belonging to friend Usmon Mahmood, 23, when he ran a red light and crashed into another car, killing 50-year-old Sylvester Abayomi, Manchester Crown Court heard today.

The court was shown footage of the collision, which happened at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway in Manchester at 4.30am on March 9.

Mr 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.”

Screen shot (Image: GMP)

Addressing the defendants, she added: “You left Sylv to die alone. You did not show him even a shred of compassion or humanity.”

Hussain, who had indicated a guilty plea at magistrates’ court, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months’ detention after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen.

Sylvester Abayomi (Image: GMP handout)

Mahmood, who initially told police he tried to warn Hussain about his driving, was jailed for 12 years and nine months after he admitted aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting causing death by driving whilst uninsured.

Greater Manchester Police said the sentence was believed to be one of the highest for a death by dangerous driving offence involving a single fatality.

Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “It was a sustained, deliberate and escalating course of highly dangerous conduct over a prolonged period.

Two men have been sentenced following their involvement in a fatal road traffic collision on Kingsway, Manchester, in March 2026, which resulted in the death of Sylvester Abayomi. (Image: GMP/PA Wire)

“I have seen CCTV images and video recordings on phones and they are terrifying.

“You 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.”

He said during the course of driving both men handled mobile phones, recorded videos and inhaled nitrous oxide.

Undated handout photo issued by Greater Manchester Police of the crashed car driven by Uways Hussain with the passenger, Usmon Mahmood. (Image: GMP/PA Wire)

Videos filmed by the defendants in the hours leading up to the crash showed Hussain driving at speeds of over 100mph with one hand on the wheel.

Uways Hussain (Image: GMP)

Rachel Shenton, prosecuting, said: “The Golf was driven by the first defendant, Uways Hussain. His friend Usmon Mahmood, the front seat passenger, was heard at times earlier on to be shouting encouragement.”

The judge said: “It was deliberate risk-taking, seemingly for the thrill of it.”

Following the crash, an Apple watch, worn by Hussain, called 999 automatically after detecting he had been in a collision, the court heard.

Usmon Mahmood (Image: Usmon Mahmood)

Unaware of the call, the pair were recorded talking about calling an Uber to leave the scene and reporting the car as stolen.

Judge Dean described the transcript of the call as “chilling”.

He said: “It doesn’t reveal shock or concern for the victim.”

Ms Shenton said the men left the scene and ran from officers when they were tracked down, before being arrested.

Hussain, who had a previous conviction for drug-driving, was a law student who worked full-time at an airport, Neil Ronan, defending said.

Clare Ashcroft, defending Mahmood, said he had been about to start an apprenticeship with Network Rail.

She said: “He is starting to understand the impact of his behaviour. In my submission he is remorseful.”

Speaking outside court, Detective Sergeant Thomas Johnson said: “Their actions that night were reckless, deliberate and ultimately devastating, which has resulted in one of the highest UK sentences for a death by dangerous driving involving a single fatality.

“Sylvester did nothing wrong. He entered a green light, expecting to safely continue on his journey and instead lost his life.”

A drink driver stole his friend’s partner’s car before leading police on a chase where he reached speeds of 80mph in a 20mph zone. A stinger was used to attempt to stop the car but he carried on driving regardless.

Corey Eaves, 28, had been staying at the address of Chloe Smith but in the early hours of April 26 he took the keys to her Nissan Juke and drove it away from the property while making a “vulgar gesture” towards her.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the police were called and the stolen car was seen shortly before 1am. The vehicle was seen again at around 2.30am and was followed by police for a short distance until the Juke stopped.

Two police vehicles attempted to box the defendant in but he reversed backwards, making contact with a police vehicle before driving off down an alleyway. A total of £7,000 worth of damage was caused to the police car.

Police vehicles illuminated their blue lights and a chase began. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

Prosecutor James Evans said Eaves was driving at excessive speeds down narrow lanes before turning into Gilfach Road, Tonyrefail, without stopping.

He reached speeds of 80mph in a 20mph zone as officers attempted to use a stinger device to stop the vehicle but he carried on driving.

The defendant eventually came to a stop and got out of the car and attempted to run away but was apprehended by officers.

He underwent a breathalyser test and gave a reading of 58 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms. Eaves was also found to be a disqualified driver.

Just two days before the police chase the defendant attended Mill Street petrol station in Tonyrefail, which he’d been banned from, and took a 10 pack of Carlsberg cans worth £11.29p.

Eaves, of Heol Glyn Goch, Hendreforgan, Gilfach Goch, later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, drink driving, driving whilst disqualified, and theft from a shop. The court heard he has a number of previous convictions.

In mitigation Elin Morgan said her client had been a user of class A drugs but had carried out a number of courses while in prison and provided negative drug tests. The barrister said the defendant has two young children.

Sentencing, Judge Eugene Egan said: “The manner of your driving was utterly disgraceful.”

Eaves was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for four years upon his release from prison.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 11 adults saying they were current smokers, according to government survey data released this week.

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and it’s long been considered the leading cause of preventable death.

The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were based on survey responses from more than 24,200 adults. In the survey, CDC officials defined current cigarette smoking as smoking at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and now smoking every day or some days.

In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price hikes, smoking bans, public education campaigns and changes in the social acceptability of lighting up in public.

In 2024, the percentage of current adult smokers fell below 10% for the first time. Last year, it was 9%, according to the new survey.

The use of electronic cigarettes has been inching up among adults, but has held about steady in 2025, at about 7%.

“The continued decline in smoking is a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization.

Richardson said current smoking-prevention efforts have been set back by cuts President Donald Trump’s administration made that eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health and its “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising campaign.

She cited estimates that the “Tips” campaign alone helped more than 1 million Americans quit smoking and saved over $7.3 billion in healthcare costs.

“This critical work must be restored and sustained to continue reducing smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs nationwide,” Richardson said.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Death in Paradise fans have called for another spin-off series, this time centring on Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, played by Don Warrington

Devotees of Death in Paradise are calling for another spin-off series, this time centred on DI Selwyn. The cherished BBC crime drama has been broadcast since 2011, with Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, Ralf Little and now Don Gilet having taken the principal role.

In the wake of its popularity, Beyond Paradise launched in 2023, with Kris reprising his character as DI Humphrey Goodman. A second spin-off, Return to Paradise, featured a female detective in the lead for the first time, premiering in 2024. Viewers are now clamouring for a series focused on Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington.

On Reddit, one user posted: “I wonder what the communities thoughts are and whether there would ever be enough interest for the BBC to commission a show portraying Selwyn’s days as the DI.”

One respondent commented: “I’d be happy to see one tbh! Modern Selwyn narrating his memoirs of his more interesting cases.”

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Another speculated: “He’s been commissioner for 50 years, each season can be set in that particular decade,” reports the Express.

Another wrote: “I’ve seen this idea mentioned a few times, and I really do think it has legs! It would require a good amount of historic research to be period-accurate, though. I also don’t think Selwyn would be the typical DiP “Aha, I’ve solved the case from this trivial detail!” type of detective, so the style would need to be a bit of a departure from DiP and other in-universe shows in order for it to feel believable. BUT it could be incredible if done well!”

Another called the suggestion a “great watch”, while someone else said: “Young Selwyn series. I’d definitely watch it. Or even just a Xmas special,” as another fan echoed: “I would love this! Seems like an open goal to me.”

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Don had appeared to depart Death in Paradise last year, with an emotional season 14 finale appearing to be Selwyn’s farewell, only to make an unexpected return, leaving fans delighted.

He later urged viewers to “assume nothing” about his character’s future on the show, telling the i Newspaper: “That was just the storyline, nothing more.”

He continued: “The producers thought it would be interesting to have Selwyn reach some kind of crisis and then, after dealing with it, return.

“There was no Machiavellian intent. But it was certainly very nice to know my character had penetrated people’s consciousness to that extent, and that they liked him.”

The demand for another spin-off comes after the BBC confirmed Death in Paradise has been recommissioned for another two series.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “Death in Paradise is a global phenomenon and we are incredibly proud to have it on the BBC, where it goes from strength to strength. It’s with great pleasure that we share the news that we’ll be returning to Saint Marie for two more sun-soaked series and Christmas specials.”

Tim Key, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures commented: “We remain incredibly proud of the show and the team that makes it, and delighted that the audience continue to love it as much as we do.

“The response to our latest series has been wonderful and we can’t wait to get started again – we’ve got something very special lined up to kick off our 16th season, with a big surprise setting it up in our Christmas special. Watch this space…”

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The Met Office has said the record-breaking UK heatwave will “gradually reduce in intensity in the coming days”, with a temperature drop forecast to bring as low as 5C next week

Temperatures could nosedive to as low as 5C next week following a record-smashing stretch of scorching weather, according to the latest weather maps.

The closing days of May delivered an extraordinary burst of heat across the UK, with numerous regions experiencing full-blown heatwave conditions. According to the national weather agency, 23 stations shattered the previous UK May maximum temperature record of 32.8C set in 1922 and 1944, with the mercury climbing as high as 35.1C at Kew Gardens in Greater London on Tuesday, 26 May.

However, it now appears the Mediterranean-style warmth is set to fade for the time being. In an update on Thursday, the Met Office stated the heatwave “will gradually reduce in intensity in the coming days, with a transition to more unsettled and cooler weather by the weekend for many”.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “We’re now starting to see this spell of very hot weather break down. Many areas will begin to feel fresher conditions moving in through Friday and into the weekend as a weak cold front moves southeast and becomes more established across most of the UK by Saturday.

“As the heat starts to ease, the weather will also turn more changeable, with some showers and thunderstorms possible. By the weekend, temperatures should be much closer to average for the time of year with accompanying rainfall for many through the weekend and into the start of next week.”

Forecast data gathered by WXCharts indicates that maximum temperatures across much of the UK next week will hover around the mid-teens Celsius. However, by Sunday, temperatures could plummet to as low as 5C in Scotland, around the junction of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross at 7am BST on Sunday, June 7, according to maps published this morning.

These showed maximum temperatures ranging from approximately 7C to 11C across Scotland and England, and between 7C to 10C in Wales at that point. The mercury was recorded as climbing to between 8C and 10C in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, maps now indicate temperatures climbing to the mid-teens by 1pm, before surging back to around 21 or 22C across much of the southern half of England by 7pm on Thursday, June 11.

Regions likely to experience the highest temperatures could include large areas of the East Midlands, East of England, the South East and Greater London, with temperatures ranging from around 11C to 20C throughout the remainder of the country.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast covering Tuesday, June 2 to Thursday, June 11, anticipated that during the first week of next month, “Atlantic weather systems are expected to move in from the west, bringing showers or longer spells of rain at times”.

“The best of the drier conditions are more likely towards the south and east, with more frequent rain across the west and northwest, although there will be drier interludes here also,” it said.

“Drier weather may start to become more dominant as we head into the second week of June. Temperatures will be near-normal overall, with the warmest spots most likely across eastern areas. It will also be breezy at times, especially across western parts, and notably so around exposed coasts.”

A cordon is in place as an investigation into the ‘shocking act of violence’ gets underway

A man is fighting for life after being stabbed in Wigan tonight (Friday, May 29).

Police were called to reports of a knife attack on Avon Road at around 8:30pm.

When officers arrived at the scene, in the Norley Hall area to the west of the town, they found a man with serious stab wounds.

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He has been taken to hospital with what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are describing as ‘potentially life‑threatening’ injuries.

No arrests have yet been made. No further details about the man or the incident have been disclosed.

A cordon remains in place as enquiries continue.

In a statement issued tonight, Detective Inspector Jonathan Waywell from GMP’s Wigan CID said: “This was a shocking act of violence, and our thoughts remain firmly with the victim and his family at this deeply distressing time.

“Knife crime is taken extremely seriously and will not be tolerated. Incidents like this have devastating consequences for victims, families, and communities.

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“I would like to reassure the public that we believe this was a targeted attack and that there is no wider risk to the public.

“We understand how worrying this will be, and there will be an increased police presence in the area. I would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to our officers.

“A scene will remain in place while our investigation continues, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from the area at the time which could help detectives is asked to call GMP on 101 or by using the LiveChat service on their website, quoting log number log 3508 of 29/05/26.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

On another sweltering afternoon in Paris, Djokovic began in cruise control, breaking his young opponent in the opening game of the match and twice more across the opening two sets as he built a 2-0 lead.

Although Djokovic was broken himself in the eighth game of the first set, he responded in style with a hold to love while in the second, he soared to his crowd-pleasing best, pointing to the sky and gesturing for Court Philippe-Chatrier to raise the noise after belying his age to chase down a drop-shot before stretching for a forehand winner.

As in his second-round meeting with Valentin Royer, Djokovic’s level dipped in the third set but on this occasion, he was unable to reassert his dominance.

He became increasingly vocal in the frustration he directed at himself and his coaching team and looked fatigued, leaning over his towel box in exhaustion on several occasions while, at the opposite end of the court, Fonseca crunched booming forehands and toyed with the 39-year-old with multiple drop-shot winners.

Djokovic came out fighting after taking a lengthy break before the decider but, although he struck the first blow – breaking Fonseca in game four, it was the teenager – playing a fifth set for just the third time in his career – who rose to the occasion as the match reached its crescendo.

After hitting just 13 winners across the opening two sets, he struck 22 to Djokovic’s 14 in the fifth, including three drop-shot winners in quick succession – which elicited pained smiles from his opponent to produce the decisive break at 5-5.

Djokovic earned a break point – his 16th – as Fonseca served for the match but the Brazilian nervelessly fired down three successive aces to secure a remarkable comeback win at the first attempt.

“In this new political landscape of electoral fragmentation, even a small share of the vote could be decisive.”

– Luke Tryl, More in Common