Two men have been jailed for a total of 12 years after Bolton’s ex-mayoress was killed in a collision in 2020. Assad Hussain and Wasim Iqbal were sentenced at Minshall Street Crown Court yesterday for causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard that Hussain and Iqbal were driving at high speeds along Chorley New Road, Bolton on 13 November that they were racing in separate vehicles. While they were racing,57-year-old Gay Wharton started to cross using a pedestrian crossing.
Iqbal stopped at the traffic lights. Unfortunately, Hussain failed to stop and hit Gay. After the incident, Hussain and Iqbal left the scene and didn’t help Gay. Gay tragically died at the scene from multiple injuries.
Hussain was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Iqbal was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for causing death by dangerous driving and driving with no insurance.
Police Sergeant Andrew Page, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was an extremely tragic incident which could have been avoided if it wasn’t for the defendants’ blatant disregard for the safety of other road users and pedestrians.”
“Their behaviour was reckless and dangerous and led to Gay very sadly losing her life. They showed no remorse in the immediate aftermath of the collision and both fled the scene. Our thoughts are with Gay’s loved ones today.”
