'Selfish' pair jailed for killing ex Bolton mayor in 'tragic' hit and run

Two men have been jailed for a total of 12 years after a former Bolton mayoress was killed in a hit and run.

57-year-old Gay Wharton was at a pedestrian crossing on Chorley Road last December when she was knocked down by 23-year-old Assad Hussain.

He ran a red light while racing around Bolton with 23-year-old Wasim Iqbal at more than 80mph in a 30mph zone.

The court heard that around 12pm on Friday 13 November, Hussain and Iqbal were seen on CCTV driving at high speeds along Chorley New Road, Bolton, in seperate vehicles, appearing to be racing each other whilst Gay started to cross using a pedestrian crossing, after the traffic lights had turned red and traffic had stopped.

Iqbal proceeded to stop at the traffic lights. However, Hussain can be seen on CCTV overtaking stationary vehicles and driving through the red light before hitting Gay.

Both Hussain and Iqbal then drove away from the scene, leaving passing members of the public to try to help Gay, who tragically died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Both men were sentenced at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court this afternoon.

Hussain was visibly upset and cried in the dock, as Gay's husband read out a statement.

Stephen said: "The last 7 months waiting for the trial have been some of the worst of my life. Life without Gay was just unbearable . I didn't know how to be Stephen Wharton without Gay Wharton, my best friend and life for 28 years, married for 19. We thrived together and we made each other the people were, the person I am today.

After the New Year was out the way and people had to get back to their own lives I started to feel so alone and the realisation sunk in that this was my life now. The months that followed were some of my darkest. It is hard to say now but there were times that I didn't want to go on, I couldn't see how I could and I really thought about whether to carry on living. Without the love and support of close friends I don't think I would have made it through to the trial.

It was on my mind the whole time whether we would get justice for Gay, and right up until the day of the trial itself, it was not a given it would happen. I am relieved that we do not have to go through the trauma of the actual trial and seeing the relive that day, but I wish that we had not had to live these 7 months with the worry of it."

Hussain was subsequently sentenced to seven years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving,

Iqbal was also sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to 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."