Two men who fled the country part way through their trial in relation to a fatal collision near Wilmslow have been arrested.

Osama Saeed and Asgar Taj were arrested at Manchester Airport on Monday 8 July after travelling to the UK on a flight from Abu Dhabi.

Both men will appear at Minshull Street Crown Court this afternoon, 8th July 2024.

The pair fled the county in October 2023, partway through their trial for causing the death of a man by dangerous driving, after taking part in a street race which resulted in the death of man on the A34, near Wilmslow in 2020.

They subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge after dialling into the court from abroad. However, both men failed to return to court for their sentencing, so they were sentenced in their absence.

Saeed, 32, of St Pauls Road, Manningham, Bradford was jailed for 12 years and Taj, 35, of Heather Grove, Bradford, was also sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

Following the arrest, Inspector Steve Griffiths, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit at Cheshire police, said:

“As this result demonstrates, we will not give up, if you commit a crime in Cheshire, you will be arrested and you will be held accountable.

“On their arrival at Manchester Airport this morning, Saeed and Taj were both greeted by a team of officers from the Cheshire Police Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, along with support from the Roads and Crime Unit and GMP.

“Both men were promptly detained at the arrival gate and will be put in front of the courts later today.”

 A third defendant, Mohammad Zubair Chaudhry, 31 of Kingsway, Cheadle, who also pleaded guilty to the offence, remains outstanding and enquiries to locate him are ongoing.