Two men jailed following fatal collision near Wilmslow

Two men, who fled the country part way through their trial in relation to a fatal collision near Wilmslow, have finally been jailed.

Osama Saeed and Asgar Taj fled the county in October 2023, partway through their trial for causing the death of a man by dangerous driving, after taking part in a street race which resulted in the death of man on the A34, near Wilmslow in 2020.

They subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge after dialling into the court from abroad. However, both men failed to return to court for their sentencing, so they were sentenced in their absence.

The pair were later arrested at Manchester Airport on Monday 8 July after travelling to the UK on a flight from Abu Dhabi. Both men were remanded in custody following their arrest.

Taj appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 12 July, where he was formally sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of a man by dangerous driving along with an additional two months for breach of bail.

Saeed appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 19 July, he was also sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of a man by dangerous driving and an additional two months for breaching his bail.

In addition to their prison sentences, both men were also disqualified from driving for 8 years and will be required to undertake an extended retest.

Following their sentencing, Inspector Steve Griffiths, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit at Cheshire police, said:

“As this result demonstrates, we will not give up, if you commit a crime in Cheshire, you will be arrested and you will be held accountable.

“Both Saeed and Taj had been actively evading justice, fleeing the county partway through their trial, before failing to return for their sentencing hearing.

“Thankfully, both men are now behind bars facing significant custodial sentences, which reflect the severity of the actions that day when they took park in an illegal street race which resulted in the death of their friend.”

A third defendant, Mohammad Zubair Chaudhry, 31 of Kingsway, Cheadle, who also pleaded guilty to the offence, remains outstanding and enquiries to locate him are ongoing.