Driver jailed for pensioner death

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7408447.stm

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A driver who jumped a red light and knocked down a pensioner before driving away has been jailed for five years.

Kamlesh Patel, 27, of Farnworth, Greater Manchester, was more than twice the drink-drive limit when he hit Patrick Murphy in October last year.

Mr Murphy died three days after the accident on Chester Road, Manchester.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard Patel had drunk whisky and lager when he knocked Mr Murphy, 73, down on the way back from a football match.

Alaric Bassano, prosecuting, said that after leaving the Manchester United and Wigan game Patel rejected his cousin's offer to drive.

'I can't stop'

He performed three dangerous manoeuvres, overtaking and driving in the path of oncoming traffic, causing drivers to flash their lights and hoot at him, Mr Bassano said.

Mr Bassano said Patel ignored his cousin's warning that a pedestrian was crossing the road at traffic lights on Chester Road.

He said: "The defendant's response was to change into second gear and accelerate through the junction."

The nearside wing mirror hit Mr Murphy and knocked him down. Patel drove off, saying: "I'm going to do a runner, I can't stop."

Mr Bassano said Patel sent Mr Murphy flowers and a card expressing his remorse while he was in hospital.

Patel admitted causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after an accident.

Judge Timothy Mort told him he had indulged in "aggressive and stupid driving".

He was banned from driving for five years. Patel had received an 18-month ban for drink-driving three years earlier.