Brothers Found Guilty in Fatal Collision
Two brothers who were racing each other while driving home have been found guilty of causing the death of a father and seriously injuring his young son.
Rhys Jenkins, a father of two, died at the scene of the crash near Welshpool in November 2024. His nine-year-old son was airlifted to hospital after their Toyota Yaris was struck head-on by a BMW X3 driven by Abubakr Ben Yusaf.
Abubakr Ben Yusaf was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. His brother, Umar Ben Yusaf, who was driving behind him in a separate vehicle, was found guilty of causing death and serious injury by careless driving.
Details of the Incident and Trial
Both men, who work as locum optometrists, were travelling from Aberystwyth to Manchester at the time of the collision.
In addition to the dangerous driving conviction, Abubakr Ben Yusaf was found guilty of causing death while driving without insurance.
Both brothers denied charges of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Umar Ben Yusaf was acquitted of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
The court heard that the brothers had been racing and attempting to overtake each other on the road between Newtown and Welshpool.
Sentencing and Court Proceedings
Both men remained impassive as the verdicts were delivered. Judge Timothy Petts stated that the brothers would be disqualified from driving for a period yet to be determined.
Abubakr Ben Yusaf was remanded in custody pending sentencing scheduled for 27 July. Umar Ben Yusaf was released on bail and will be sentenced on the same date. The judge indicated to Umar that it was highly likely he would face imprisonment given the gravity of the case.
"It was overwhelmingly likely he would be going to prison given the seriousness of circumstances."
Before Abubakr Ben Yusaf was taken down from the dock, the two brothers embraced.
