Two men who killed a teenage passenger while racing at speed through east London have been sentenced to a combined total of 18 years and six months in prison. Mohammed Alam, 27, and Mohammed Islam, 25, were convicted of causing the death of Haaris Usman by dangerous driving in Royal Docks Road, Beckton, on February 5, 2023.
Fatal Race and Collision
The Old Bailey heard that Haaris Usman, 18, was sitting in the rear seat of Islam's car when the driver spontaneously began racing with Alam. Both drivers were traveling at high speed when Islam collided with the back of Alam's Mercedes, causing both vehicles to lose control. Islam's car spun out and crashed into a tree, inflicting catastrophic head injuries on Haaris, who later died in hospital. The passenger in the front seat, Yasin Hussain, also suffered serious neck and spine injuries.
Islam was found to have been intoxicated at the time, having consumed cannabis, nitrous oxide, and lean—an opioid-containing cough syrup mixture—earlier that day. Both defendants were unanimously convicted earlier this year of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Victim Impact Statement
In a victim impact statement, Haaris's mother, Rehana Usman, from Redbridge, described her son as a 'caring, loving, compassionate young man' with a 'genuinely kind heart.' She told the court: 'No words can truly describe the devastation my family and I suffered since the loss of my son Haaris. The collision that took his life has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.'
Haaris had hoped to attend Waltham Forest College in September to train as an electrician. He was passionate about football and had studied at Barnet Football Club Academy. Recently, he had returned to jiujitsu, training at Legion Grappling, where he was known for his 'fierce determination and unwavering spirit' and had an upcoming competition.
Sentencing Remarks
At the sentencing hearing on Friday, Judge John Hillen said: 'Haaris died and Yasin was gravely injured because both of you were driving dangerously.' He noted that the defendants were speeding and their driving fell 'far below' the expected standard. 'Haaris was only 18 years old. He had his whole life before him. He was a loving son and devoted brother. Nothing I can do or say will bring Haaris back to life. No sentence can ever reflect what has happened to him and those who loved him.'
Islam, of Ilford, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. Alam, of Tower Hamlets, received an eight-year sentence. Jurors also convicted Islam of dangerous driving on February 3, 2023, and he pleaded guilty to a further count of dangerous driving on February 4, 2023, at an earlier hearing.
Defense Statements
Kathryn Drummond, representing Islam, told the court that her client has 'deep remorse for his actions' and 'plays the memory in his mind over and over.' In a letter to the court, Islam, who was 21 at the time of the crash, wrote: 'The responsibility rests entirely with me.'
Maria Karaiskos KC, mitigating for Alam, said the events were 'out of character' for the defendant, adding there was 'no intention to cause any harm' or 'death.'
Mother's Warning
Haaris's mother, Ms. Usman, expressed hope that the sentences would act as a 'deterrent' to other dangerous drivers. 'Those who choose to race and drive dangerously must understand the consequences of their actions and the harm they can cause. I hope this sentence will act as a deterrent to further incidents of this nature,' she said.
She added: 'The defendants may one day complete their sentence and return to their lives but my son will never return to his. I have been left with a life sentence of grief.'
