Two jailed over fatal 130mph crash in 30 zone

A driver and passenger who filmed themselves inhaling from a balloon while at speeds of over 130mph (209kmh) have been jailed over the death of a man their vehicle crashed into.

Uways Hussain, 20, from Burnage, was jailed for 11 years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court earlier for causing death by dangerous driving. His passenger Usmon Mahmood was jailed for 12 years and nine months for aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving.

Sylvester Abayomi, 50, was killed when Hussain crashed into his car at 139mph (223.7kmh) in a 30mph zone on Kingsway, on 9 March.

Footage taken by Hussain and Mahmood showed them running red lights and weaving through traffic.

Greater Manchester Police have said the case was "one of the worst disregards of speeding officers have seen".

Following the sentencing earlier, Judge Nicholas Dean said the crash was "wholly unnecessary and entirely avoidable".

Dean added: "It [the crash] was a sustained, deliberate and escalating course of highly dangerous conduct over a prolonged period.

Abayomi had entered Kingsway on a green light before he was fatally struck at around 04:36 GMT by the car Hussain was driving.

Hussain’s car had run a red light.

Abayomi‘s partner Denise described him as "the most caring soul and gentle person you could ever meet. He had time for everybody and is loved by everyone. Syll will be sadly missed."

Footage shown in court, taken by Hussain and Mahmood in the hours leading up to the crash showed the car travelling at more than four times the legal speed limit, driving through red lights and weaving in and out of traffic while the pair inhaled from a balloon.

In several cases the car reached over 130mph - and seconds before the crash, was recorded at 139mph, according to police.