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Death driver 'never had licence' | Death driver 'never had licence' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A businessman, who drove off in his Jaguar sports car after hitting a young boy, who later died, had never had a driving licence, a court has heard. | A businessman, who drove off in his Jaguar sports car after hitting a young boy, who later died, had never had a driving licence, a court has heard. |
The judge at Mold Crown Court accepted it had been an accident but jailing David Lunn, 61, from Wrexham, for 22 months, he said he had been "stupid". | The judge at Mold Crown Court accepted it had been an accident but jailing David Lunn, 61, from Wrexham, for 22 months, he said he had been "stupid". |
Robbie Gaunt, nine, had been crossing the A539 with friends on 19 March. | Robbie Gaunt, nine, had been crossing the A539 with friends on 19 March. |
Lunn admitted causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured and perverting the course of justice. | Lunn admitted causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured and perverting the course of justice. |
He had previous convictions, including one for drink-driving, and tried to cover up his involvement, the court heard. | He had previous convictions, including one for drink-driving, and tried to cover up his involvement, the court heard. |
Robbie was hit by Lunn's Jaguar XJ sport, and thrown into the path of a Ford Fiesta travelling the other way, while crossing the A539 at Overton on his bicycle. | Robbie was hit by Lunn's Jaguar XJ sport, and thrown into the path of a Ford Fiesta travelling the other way, while crossing the A539 at Overton on his bicycle. |
He later died in Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool. | He later died in Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool. |
You must have known at the time that you had been involved in a collision with a young child. A decent person would have stopped. You didn't. Mr Justice Nigel Davis | You must have known at the time that you had been involved in a collision with a young child. A decent person would have stopped. You didn't. Mr Justice Nigel Davis |
Lunn, a director of a company named Premier Bodies Ltd in St Martin's, near Oswestry, Shropshire, failed to stop and later arranged to have his bonnet and grille replaced. | Lunn, a director of a company named Premier Bodies Ltd in St Martin's, near Oswestry, Shropshire, failed to stop and later arranged to have his bonnet and grille replaced. |
He also burned part of his bumper and light fittings in a skip in the yard of his business. | He also burned part of his bumper and light fittings in a skip in the yard of his business. |
But police visited the repair yard and found the Jaguar in the process of being repaired. | But police visited the repair yard and found the Jaguar in the process of being repaired. |
Other motorists, including a surgeon, stopped at the accident scene but Robbie later died. | Other motorists, including a surgeon, stopped at the accident scene but Robbie later died. |
In a statement Robbie's mother Dawn Richards said his death had left a big hole in her family's lives. | In a statement Robbie's mother Dawn Richards said his death had left a big hole in her family's lives. |
She said she had been left physically drained and unable to sleep. | She said she had been left physically drained and unable to sleep. |
His younger sister had been "greatly affected" and his elder brother had taken an overdose, she added. | His younger sister had been "greatly affected" and his elder brother had taken an overdose, she added. |
His father Robert Jones said in a statement he felt "very angry" towards the defendant. | His father Robert Jones said in a statement he felt "very angry" towards the defendant. |
David Lunn went to "quite elaborate lengths" to repair his car | David Lunn went to "quite elaborate lengths" to repair his car |
"He should have stopped after hitting Robbie. He should never be allowed to drive again. Nothing will bring him back. No sentence will ever be enough." | "He should have stopped after hitting Robbie. He should never be allowed to drive again. Nothing will bring him back. No sentence will ever be enough." |
Sentencing Lunn, the judge, Mr Justice Nigel Davis said it was accepted that the collision was an accident. | Sentencing Lunn, the judge, Mr Justice Nigel Davis said it was accepted that the collision was an accident. |
But he said he had been driving for decades without a licence or insurance. | But he said he had been driving for decades without a licence or insurance. |
"It is stupid but it is also criminal," said the judge. | "It is stupid but it is also criminal," said the judge. |
'Grave nature' | |
"It was not just that. You must have known at the time that you had been involved in a collision with a young child. A decent person would have stopped. You didn't. | "It was not just that. You must have known at the time that you had been involved in a collision with a young child. A decent person would have stopped. You didn't. |
"You then tried to cover up your involvement, going to quite elaborate lengths to repair your car and lie to other people about what the real reason was." | "You then tried to cover up your involvement, going to quite elaborate lengths to repair your car and lie to other people about what the real reason was." |
The judge also made a deprivation order in respect of the car. | The judge also made a deprivation order in respect of the car. |
North Wales Police said after the case that Lunn leaving the scene of the accident had caused "additional and unnecessary upset" to Robbie's family. | |
Chief Inspector Gary Ashton said "North Wales Police will find those responsible, no matter how hard people try to cover their tracks when a collision of this grave nature occurs and I would like to pay credit to all the officers involved in bringing this matter to a conclusion. | |
"This is the second incident in recent months where a driver has been involved in a fatal road traffic collision with a child and left the scene rather than face up to their responsibilities. | |
"The message is clear - we will eventually find you." |
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