Road race ended in death

Date published: 12 August 2008


A DRIVER caused the death of a pedestrian following an aggressive rush- hour road race with another motorist, a court heard yesterday.
Ghulum Hussain (28) was seen allegedly speeding at up to 70mph in a bus lane before hitting 19-year-old Craig Borland (pictured) in Oldham.

Craig of Greengate, who had been crossing the road, was sent twisting into the air before landing 42 yards down the road.

He suffered extensive head injuries and died four days later in hospital.

Witnesses claimed to see Hussain — who was driving his father’s silver-coloured Nissan Primera — racing a blue car which initially followed along the bus lane before pulling back into traffic moments before the collision on July 27, last year.

Hussain, of Milnrow Road, Shaw, denies causing death by dangerous driving, but the jury at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, heard yesterday that he hit Craig travelling at up to 53mph in the 30mph zone in Ashton Road, Oldham.

Vanessa Thompson, prosecuting, said Hussain had been spotted at 5.20pm, near the King Street roundabout, heading towards Ashton.

She added: “One witness in Goddard Street saw a male walking across to her left. She watched him go along Goddard Street and begin to cross Ashton Road. She started to edge out and remembers seeing a silver flash come across the front of her car. She then heard a thud.

“A bus driver also heard the thud.

“The defendant said he was unaware the speed limit was 30. He said he was unaware of Craig until he hit him.”

The trial continues.