On Friday 23rd April, FURD youth worker Simon Hyacinth was sentenced to six months imprisonment after pleading guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving. On 13th July 2009, Simon was driving the minibus bringing the FURD Positive Futures team back from the Anti-Racist World Cup in Bologna, and was in collision with a lorry shortly after Junction 32 of the M1. As a result of the accident, one of the team members, Ahmed Hassan, was fatally injured.
Following the verdict, Howard Holmes, project director from FURD, said:
“First and foremost our thoughts are with Ahmed Hassan and his family. We also acknowledge the pain and suffering of the other victims of this tragic event.
“We hope the court's decision helps to bring a degree of closure for them and everyone affected as a results of the events of 13th July last year.
“As a project we will continue our work in bringing young people in Sheffield together, in this we hope we are honouring the memory of Ahmed.“
“Everyone at FURD stands solidly behind Simon Hyacinth, and his exemplary record of working with young people in Sheffield and beyond to change their lives for the better.”
“Simon is a uniquely talented and committed youth worker, whose integrity is beyond reproach.”