Sylvester Abayomi, 50, died after a collision in March this year, caused by Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23.
Two men have been caged for killing a “caring” man in what officers called “one of the most extreme dangerous driving cases officers have encountered”.
Sylvester Abayomi, 50, died after a collision in March this year, caused by Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23. The two ‘highly dangerous’ men filmed themselves speeding at up to 139mph in a 30 zone, the court heard. As reported by the Mirror, driver Hussain and passenger Mahmood filmed themselves consistently travelling at speeds of well over 100mph in a Golf GTI.
The duo reached over 130mph several times – before jumping a red light and hitting a car driven by Mr Abayomi on Kingsway, Manchester. He suffered serious injuries and died in the collision shortly after 4.30am on March 9.
The pair were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday. Hussain was sentenced to 11 years and eight months, while Mahmood was sentenced to 12 years and nine months.
Rachel Shenton, prosecuting, told the court in the five seconds before the crash the Golf’s speed was recorded at 139mph – with the speed on impact 99mph.
Hussain was filmed driving one handed at high speed in the hours before the crash. He jumped red lights, weaved in and out of traffic and inhaled from nitrous oxide balloons while steering. Police said it was “one of the worst disregards for speeding” they have ever seen.
The court heard Mr Abayomi was on his way to work when he pulled onto Kingsway in his Volvo S40 on green light – before being fatally struck after the offenders ran a red light.
After the smash, the two men discussed fleeing the scene and removing evidence, considered reporting the car stolen and booking an Uber to escape. The court heard the conversation was recorded after Hussain’s Apple watch detected a high speed crash and made an emergency call.
Mahmood – the owner of the Golf – was heard saying: “You just wrapped my whip bro.” They said ‘book an Uber quick’ and spoke of their DNA being on the airbags. Neither man approached Mr Abayomi’s car to check on his condition.
When police arrived they were able to trace Hussain through his watch. They found him hiding in a garden and had to taser him. He told police: “None of us were even there, what’s happened? Did someone pass away.” He initially denied being the driver.
Mahmood was also found in a nearby garden. The court heard a number of nitrous oxide canisters were found around the area the men were arrested.
Judge Nicholas Dean KC told the court they had shown a “flagrant disregard for the safety of other road users” and had been risk taking “seemingly for the thrill of it”. He said the CCTV and mobile footage of the driving was “terrifying” as was “far, far in excess of any safe or lawful limit”.
On their actions after the crash, the judge told them: “Rather than assist or attempt to assist, both of you fled. Not in panic as such, but discussing how in effect, how to get away with it.”
Hussain, 20 from Burnage, admitted causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing. After being given credit for his guilty plea he was sentenced to 11 years eight months The court heard he had received a previous 12 month driving ban in October 2024 for drug driving.
Mahmood, 23, from Levenshulme, had admitted aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. It is one of the first times a passenger has been convicted for aid and abetting causing death by dangerous driving. After his guilty plea was taken into account, he was jailed for 12 years nine months.
They will each serve at least two thirds of their sentences and serve an eight year driving ban. They will also have to take extended driving tests before being allowed back behind the wheel.
Reading an emotional victim impact statement to the court, Mr Abayomi’s partner Denise Doyle, told how on the day of his death he kissed her and told her he loved her before heading to work. She said: “I never knew this would be the last time.”
After seeing his body in hospital, she said: “It was a nightmare, like I was in a box and couldn’t get out. He was my partner, my friend, my future.”
She said her partner was “kind, dedicated and full of life”, adding: “That day my life changed forever. It’s not just grief, it’s a constant emptiness. The life we were building together has been taken away from me.”
After the court hearing she released a statement paying tribute to her late partner. She said: “On Monday 9 March, the love of my life was taken away, he was the most caring soul and gentle person you could ever meet. He had time for everybody and was loved by everyone. Syll will be sadly missed.”
Detective Sergeant Thomas Johnson, from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is one of the most extreme cases of dangerous driving we have encountered, and it has tragically resulted in the loss of Sylvester’s life.
“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. No sentence can ever truly compensate for the loss of a life, but the actions of Hussain and Mahmood show a complete disregard for the safety of others.
“We hope this outcome offers some measure of justice to Sylvester’s loved ones. We urge the public to challenge dangerous driving behaviour and report concerns to police.”
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