'A nightmare that for us will never end' - Couple were killed in horrific crash as drug dealer fled cops

A husband and wife were mown down and killed by a convicted drug dealer fleeing from police in a high speed chase. Stephen and Geraldine Birtles had been out for a meal before they were hit by 24-year-old Abdisalan Ali, who was driving at twice the speed limit in a BMW.

Ali was being tracked by police on the M60, reaching speeds of 90mph, before officers began a near two mile chase through the streets which ended in Didsbury. Mr and Mrs Birtles, aged 71 and 64, were hit by Ali as he sped through the junction of Kingsway and Wilmslow Road at about 60mph.

Mrs Birtles died at the scene, while her husband passed away 12 days later having never regained consciousness, Manchester Crown Court heard. Ali didn't stop at the scene and the BMW was found abandoned.

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He was arrested after police discovered a drinks bottle in the car containing his DNA. Now Ali, from Whalley Range, has been jailed for eight years and eight months.

A judge admitted the sentence 'may appear less than it ought to be' given the seriousness of the crime. But Judge Alan Conrad QC said he was 'bound' by the 14 year maximum sentence in force at the time of the fatal collision, which happened just after midnight on Sunday, February 20.

The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving has since been increased to life.

Ali, who was previously locked up for more than three years for dealing heroin, was told: "You killed a much loved couple, still in the prime of their lives, by thoroughly dangerous driving when you were fleeing from the police.

"Having mown them down you then callously fled the scene and left them to die. It can only be the case