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.
