Aliya Mulla was killed by a speeding driver on Moss Lane East in 2023
Rio Romano Haughton’s police mugshot (Image: Greater Manchester Police )
The husband of a woman tragically killed by a man driving at more than triple the speed limit has issued a plea for people to ‘think twice’ when they get behind the wheel. November 6, 2023, had been an ordinary Monday evening and Omar Mamsa was driving through Moss Side with his wife Aliya Mulla in the passenger seat.
As they made their way along Moss Lane East, a black BMW came careering around a bend in the road behind them and collided with their vehicle. It was sent flying into the railings opposite.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, 25-year-old Aliya tragically died of her injuries in the early hours of the following day. More than two-and-a-half years on, the person responsible has finally seen justice – and her loved ones are beginning to make sense of what happened.
Last Monday (March 23), Rio Romano Haughton was sentenced to seven years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving. The 38-year-old, of Horace Barnes Close in Manchester, was also issued a driving ban for eight years and three months, after which he must retake an extended retest.
It’s been a long process for Aliya’s husband, Omar. The couple had been married for around a year and a half when the fatal crash took place. “We were due to receive the keys to our new home that week,” Omar said. “It’s left a shattering void in my life. Every day I live with the trauma of what happened and carry the pain with me.”
Aliya grew up in Preston and went on to work as an audiologist. “She loved her work, she took great pride in making a difference in people’s lives,” Omar said. “It was a reflection of who she was as a person.
“She was loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She always put others before herself and would help anyone without any hesitation.”
“It’s been incredibly difficult to cope with,” he continued. “We had so many plans for the future together, that were suddenly snatched away.
“Alia will always remain in my heart. While a sentence may one day come to an end, the pain of losing her never will. What I really want is for people to think twice before driving dangerously – to understand that, the moment they sit behind the wheel, they are in control of something that can be a lethal weapon.
“My hope is that anyone who reads or comes across this story will think twice before speeding and consider the profound impact their actions and choices can have on others.”
