Two men have been sentenced to a combined total of over 24 years in prison for their role in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 50-year-old Nigerian man, Sylvester Abayomi, in the United Kingdom.
The Incident
Uways Hussain, 20, and Usmon Mahmood, 23, were inhaling nitrous oxide while driving at speeds reaching 139mph in a 30mph zone before the collision on March 9, 2026. The pair filmed themselves inhaling the gas from a balloon, running red lights, and weaving through traffic before striking Abayomi as he drove to work in Manchester.
Manchester Crown Court was shown footage of the crash, which occurred at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway at 4:30 am.
Victim Impact Statement
Abayomi's partner, Denise Doyle, addressed the court during sentencing on May 29, 2026. She stated: '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.' She added: 'You left Sylv to die alone. You did not show him even a shred of compassion or humanity.'
Sentences Handed Down
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 while uninsured, and failing to provide a specimen. Mahmood, who initially told police he tried to warn his friend about his driving of the VW Golf GTI, was jailed for 12 years and nine months after admitting aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving and aiding and abetting causing death by driving while uninsured.
Greater Manchester Police said the sentences are believed to be among the highest for a death by dangerous driving offence involving a single fatality.
Court Proceedings
Judge Dean KC commented: 'I have seen CCTV images and video recordings on phones and they are terrifying. 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.'
Prosecutor Rachel Shenton 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.'
Following the crash, an Apple watch worn by Hussain automatically called 999 after detecting the collision. The pair were unwittingly 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', adding: 'It doesn't reveal shock or concern for the victim.' Shenton said the men left the scene and ran from officers when they were tracked down before being arrested.
Defense Statements
Neil Ronan, defending Hussain, said he was a law student who worked full-time at an airport. 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.'
