Teenager Sentenced to Over Seven Years for Vicious Road Attack
A 19-year-old man who deliberately rammed two cyclists off the road and then stamped on a driver's head, mistakenly believing they were rival gang members, has been jailed for seven years and two months. Ishaaq Hurayrah, of Wager Street, Mile End, East London, admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and one of causing actual bodily harm during the shocking incident in Bethnal Green.
Violent Spree Captured on CCTV
Inner London Crown Court heard how Hurayrah used his white Toyota Corolla as a weapon on the evening of 14 June 2025. He first struck cyclist Nurridin Jama on Morpeth Street with such force that the Toyota logo detached from the vehicle and was left at the scene. Mr Jama, who was returning home from visiting his cousin, suffered a fractured jaw, fractured ribs and vertebrae, and a cut to his shin. He lay unconscious for over a minute following the impact.
Cyclist Adam Gogarty, who witnessed the collision, was then targeted as Hurayrah drove toward him. The impact caused Mr Gogarty's bike to spin 180 degrees, throwing him to the ground where his head struck the pavement. In a victim impact statement read by prosecutor Claire Langevad, Mr Gogarty revealed: 'Since the incident my mental health has been set back a year and a half. I don't leave the house. I don't want to speak to anyone.'
Driver Confrontation Turns Brutal
Motorist Leon Callander, who was traveling with his partner in a silver Mercedes, believed Hurayrah had killed Mr Jama and pursued him. When Mr Callander exited his vehicle to confront the teenager, Hurayrah reversed into him, then accelerated forward, striking him again and sending him flying through the air. CCTV footage shows the pedestrian being launched into the air before landing motionless on the ground.
Prosecutor Claire Langevad stated: 'He describes a huge physical impact overall, including being wheelchair bound for some time. He has had multiple medical appointments and surgery. He summarises that this has changed my life completely.'
After Mr Callander fell to the ground, Hurayrah approached and stamped on his head. A woman can be heard screaming in the footage, urging onlookers to call the police.
Gang Retaliation Claim Rejected
Following his arrest, Hurayrah claimed he believed the victims were from a rival gang, citing a stabbing incident he experienced in 2023. He told authorities he targeted them based on their clothing. However, Judge Vanessa Baraitser dismissed this justification during sentencing.
'This was an unprovoked and senseless act of aggression toward complete strangers,' Judge Baraitser declared. 'You used your car as a highly dangerous weapon. This amounted to a spree during which you drove into three vulnerable road users in three separate incidents within a short period.'
While acknowledging Hurayrah's difficult upbringing, the judge emphasized the severity of his actions. 'I accept, as your barrister put it, that you have not had the easiest of upbringings,' she noted, but maintained that his behavior was inexcusable.
Courtroom Disrespect
As he was sentenced to 86 months in a young offenders' institute and disqualified from driving for seven years, Hurayrah yawned in the dock. Judge Baraitser responded sternly: 'Yawning is not something that sits well with what happened.'
The case highlights the devastating consequences of gang-related violence and road rage, with victims suffering long-term physical and psychological trauma. Mr Gogarty expressed his ongoing struggle, stating: 'I hope that the defendant realises the impact that his actions have had on me. I have been struggling in my daily life ever since. I cannot understand why he did what he did.'
