Two brothers have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a fatal car crash that killed a father and seriously injured his nine-year-old son. The collision occurred in November 2024 when Abubakr Ben Yusaf, driving a BMW X3 at speeds up to 100 mph, crashed head-on into a Toyota Yaris driven by Rhys Jenkins.
Rhys Jenkins, 41, died at the scene. His son, Ioan, sustained critical injuries including two broken arms, a fractured rib, and a perforated bowel. He was airlifted to Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool.
Abubakr Ben Yusaf was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing death while uninsured. His brother, Umar Ben Yusaf, who was driving an Audi S4 behind him, received a sentence of two years and nine months for causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Both brothers had denied the charges.
Witnesses reported that the brothers were racing each other, driving aggressively, tailgating, and recklessly overtaking in the moments leading up to the crash on the A483 in Powys. The prosecutor stated that the brothers drove with "no consideration for other road users," and Mr. Jenkins and his son "paid a terrible price."
Mr. Jenkins, a rugby coach and referee, had been en route to Cardiff with his son to watch a Wales rugby match against Australia, an event that would have been their first time watching a Welsh rugby game together. The judge noted that Mr. Jenkins was driving properly and had no time to avoid the collision.
Following the crash, the brothers fled the scene while bystanders assisted Ioan. Umar Ben Yusaf returned to the scene within 40 minutes and admitted responsibility to a police community support officer. The court heard the brothers, who worked as locum optometrists, were driving from Aberystwyth to their shared home in Manchester and often worked in Wales.
In a victim impact statement, Mr. Jenkins's wife Carrie described the enduring pain and the "massive hole left in our lives" by his death. She added that Ioan was emotionally and physically scarred and wished his father were alive to see him grow up. Their solicitor noted the family is pursuing civil redress.
Sergeant Sara John of Dyfed-Powys police acknowledged the victim's family's strength and expressed hope that the outcome would provide closure. She condemned the catastrophic actions of the Yusaf brothers, stating their driving showed an "utter disregard towards other road users."