'Cowardly' businessman tried to save nephew’s skin after he killed much loved dad in horror crash

Suaiel Haider and Faizaan Haider have both been jailed

A businessman tried to save his nephew’s skin from the ‘dreadful consequences’ of killing a dad in a horror crash by setting a car ablaze.

Suaiel Haider, who has worked in the motoring industry, tried to cover up Faizaan Haider’s crime after he had ploughed into 34-year-old Gavin Andrews in Bury, while driving a BMW at almost twice the speed limit and while under the influence of drink.

Gavin, who has a nine-year-old daughter, had enjoyed a game of snooker earlier that evening before heading for some food from a Chinese takeaway. After collecting his food and ordering a taxi bound for home, Haider crashed into him as he crossed the road.

The car was driven a short distance away and Suaiel Haider set fire to the interior of the vehicle in a bid to destroy evidence. A judge at Minshull Street Crown Court ruled that his actions had a ‘serious impact on the administration of justice’.

Tributes were paid to Gavin, who was described as ‘caring, funny, witty and clever’ by one of his siblings. While his mother Isabelle Kane said: “To lose a child is indescribable.”

Faizaan Haider, 25, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial. He tried to claim that an ‘unidentified’ person had been driving. He was not insured to drive the BMW.

Suaiel Haider, 43, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Faizaan Haider was jailed for nine years and three months, while his uncle was locked up for four years and three months.

“When you were faced with the dreadful consequences of what your nephew did, you chose to set the interior of the car on fire in the hope of destroying evidence,” Judge Tina Landale told Suaiel Haider.

She said the pair had been convicted on ‘compelling’ evidence, following the fatal collision on November 9, 2021. Judge Landale said she was satisfied that Faizaan Haider had been ‘significantly impaired by alcohol’ at the time of the collision, after 9.30pm.

Both Faizaan Haider and his uncle had been drinking earlier that day after attending a wake. The judge said there was ‘something of a party atmosphere’ in the BMW, which also contained two other passengers in addition to Suaiel Haider. Faizaan Haider hit Gavin as he crossed Walmersley Road in Bury.

He was driving at 57mph in a 30mph zone, in a residential area. Haider didn’t stop the car and made no attempt to alert the emergency services.

Instead his uncle tried to cover up his nephew’s involvement in the crime by destroying evidence. The judge said she accepted he'd acted in 'panic'. After being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, Faizaan Haider faced a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

The maximum sentence has since increased to life, but because the crash occurred before the change to the law, the judge was restricted in her sentencing powers. She reduced both defendant’s sentences by nine months to take account of a curfew which had not been electrically monitored, which they observed for about two years.

Suaiel Haider, of Langdale Mews, Bury, who the judge described as a ‘highly successful businessman’ who has employed staff, was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £5,256. Faizaan Haider, of Mosley Street, Bury, was banned from driving for seven years and seven months.

After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Andrew Page, of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Today is the conclusion of a three and a half year investigation and I hope this sentence can provide some more closure to the family of Gavin. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Gavin’s family for their patience and dignity throughout this investigation.

“These men have shown no remorse at any point since the fatal collision and today they have seen the consequences of their actions. They failed to stop at the scene and made efforts to destroy the car. Their cowardly efforts to destroy evidence and refusal to speak when questioned by officers in custody was unacceptable knowing the harm they had caused. At trial, both men attempted to blame another individual for their actions in a futile attempt to evade justice.

“I hope this case highlights the hard work our officers will go to in order to bring offenders to justice who use the road network in Greater Manchester illegally.”