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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Andrew Bardsley

Speeding driver faces jail after killing 'gentle giant with heart of gold' on mobility scooter - then ploughing into house

A speeding driver faces jail after losing control of his car and killing a man on a mobility scooter in a horror crash.

Hanzah Yusuf, 21, was driving in Wigan when he ploughed into 53-year-old 'gentle giant' Michael Smith.

Prosecutors had alleged that he was 'racing' through the streets with his brother Noormohammed Yusuf.

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But a jury found Noormohammed Yusuf not guilty of causing the death of Mr Smith by dangerous driving.

They instead convicted him of dangerous driving.

Noormohammed Yusuf denied he was racing his brother.

Manchester Crown Court heard that the pair had been travelling at about 53mph in a 30mph zone prior to the collision.

They had left a mosque moments before the crash, on the evening of February 28, 2019.

Noormohammed, 31, was driving a Volvo S40 while Hanzah was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Zafira, with Noormohammed ahead of his brother.

They were travelling on Poolstock Lane towards Wigan town centre when they reached a bend in the road.

Michael Smith was killedin the incident (GMP)

Hanzah veered off the road and hit Mr Smith, who was crossing the junction with Morton Avenue.

He suffered 'severe external and internal injuries' which proved fatal.

After hitting Mr Smith, Hanzah's car carried on into a front garden and smashed into a van and a house.

Police later found that the tread on the Zafira's front offside tyre breached the legal limit at the time.

Noormohammed Yusuf denied racing his brother, during a trial at Manchester Crown Court.

The judge said the jury's verdicts had 'in effect' acquitted Noormohammed Yusuf of taking part in a race, but said there was 'a clear picture of him (Hanzah Yusuf) keeping up with his brother'.

Recorder Mary Loram QC adjourned the case until next month for sentencing, with the brothers, both of Park Lane, Abram, being granted bail.

Noormohammed Yusuf and Hanzah Yusuf leaving Manchester Crown Court (Manchester Evening News)

A pre-sentence report was ordered for Noormohammed Yusuf.

Hanzah Yusuf was told he was in a 'different position' to his brother, and faces a prison sentence.

"The only decision I have to make is for how long," the judge told him.

After his death Mr Smith's family paid tribute to him.

They said: "Michael was a gentle giant. He had a heart of gold and would try and help anyone.

"He was the most caring person and would phone up his mum numerous times a day.

"Michael was born in Southampton with the majority of his family living in Portsmouth.

"Some family members even live as far afield as Australia and America.

"We are all very much in shock and no words can describe how much pain we are all in."

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