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Statue of Justice, Old Bailey (licensed CC BY 2.0 on Flickr by Ronnie Macdonald).jpgHit-and-run motorist jailed for six years for killing cyclist had never taken driving test
A hit-and-run motorist who has been jailed for six years for killing a cyclist had never taken a driving test.
Liam Dellaway, aged 25, crashed into 68-year-old James Parsons, from Letchworth, on 19 September last year in Icknefield, Hertfordshire, reports BBC News.
St Albans Crown Court heard that Mr Parsons, who died the following day in hospital, was “left for dead” as Dellaway fled the scene despite his windscreen being smashed in the collision.
Later the same day, Dellaway sold the car, which was registered in his girlfriend’s name, for £500, telling the purchaser that damage to the windscreen and roof had been caused by men with baseball bats.
At trial, where he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, he claimed he had driven off because he was “in shock and wanted to get home.”
He also entered guilty pleas to causing death by driving whilst disqualified, causing death while uninsured, and two counts of leaving petrol stations without paying for fuel.
The court heard that Dellaway had pulled out to overtake another vehicle he had been tailgating when he crashed into Mr Parsons from behind on a bend.
Peter Shaw, prosecuting, said: "Marks on the road show Dellaway braked heavily after the collision obviously realising he had struck someone, but then fled the scene."
Shortly afterwards, an oncoming driver had to execute an emergency stop when Dellaway overtook two other vehicles and a bus.
Dellaway, who was arrested on 19 October, a month after the fatal collision, had previously committed a number of other road traffic offences.
Judge Nigel Lithman QC, sentencing him to six years’ imprisonment, told him: “You made no attempt to get help or show the remotest human concern for this man.”
He also banned him from driving for six years, after which Dellaway will have to take an extended driving test to secure a licence.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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25 comments
"in shock" is a medical term.
He was shocked. He was not "in shock".
Just read this again - Driver claimed he fled scene because he was “in shock and wanted to get home”
I've been in shock before, the last thing I felt capable of doing was operating a motor vehicle....All I wanted to do was lie down.
He was in so much shock he sold the car the same day.
Still can't see how it is 6 years.
6 years against a maximum of 14.
Ok, he pled guilty. I know that results in a discount (no matter how overwhelming the evidence...). I think the standard reduction is 1/3 for that. So the 6 is arguably 9 years before that reduction.
So I'm still struggling to understand what possible offence would ever actually get the maximum sentence.
I guess there was no evidence he was drunk or otherwise intoxicated, though obviously fleeing the scene prevented that being checked. So just how bad does it have to be to get the maximum?
The latest 'internet of things' connected cars could easily identify a driver by biometric and query a database to see if it is insured for that driver, the driver is licenced to drive and that the driver is showing no signs of substance abuse. My 2014 car can tell if I'm getting a bit bored, tired and inattentive and suggests I take a break (disclaimer- I've not so far triggered it!)
They must surely also be able to work out when they are being driven dangerously and immobilise themselves.
My 2004 car also has that ... in my case it is 5'1" tall and called Kathryn. Mine has the added feature of being able to do those things even when I am not in the car.
Plenty more out there like him, sadly. I'm waiting for someone to say that driving is a human right, and/or lack of access to a car (forget whether there's a valid licence, tax or insurance in place) is a mark of poverty.
Roll on SmartCard driving licences where the engine will not start until you have inserted a valid driving licence into a slot on the dashboard (with said licence connecting to a central database to check for valid insurance as well).
We can dream ...
Just waiting for the cry of "nanny state" or some such. I think this is a great idea, btw.
It's certainly more rational than the inane suggestion of GPS tagging and punishment by death for travelling at over 20mph... like on a bus... or train... or even a bike at a push.
Since when do buses go at >20mph? Not round here they don't! Made the awful mistake of using one the other day - an hour to go 5 miles. Crawling through narrow roads with parking both sides where it had to stop and back up every time it enountered a car coming the other way. And I got travel sick from the fumes and lurching. Really need to remember that buses are never worth bothering with, even if it's raining. Should have just walked (didn't have bike with me).
Smart driving licences would be great, but would never be accepted, I can already hear all the shroud-waving stories about critical journeys stalled due to technical glitches.
I wonder what the efficacy of sentencing to n hours of cycling on public roads for offences would be? So the driving ban isn't set in a number of months/years but hours of cycling on public roads? "He was sentenced to 5000 hours of cycling on public roads..."
Although there is a chance that would be seen as the same as punishment by death
Have always loved this idea. Featured in the film 'The Fifth Element' back in the 90's, shame how there doesn't seem to be any traction on this - though I would worry about how easy the system is to bypass for the determined and savy.
I'd love to listen in on the call centre when someone calls to try and sort this out because the DVLA and/or the insurance company have messed up the database entry and the car won't start...
Just be sure to wave when you ride past.
Well said MrGhostrider, there are probably more uninsured drivers on the road at any moment than there are cyclists (and I like many here have entirely voluntary 3rd party insurance, I did join the CTC so I could get theft/crash insurance).
Bez did a good bit on the finances on not getting motor insurance, on his Beyond the Kerb, can't find it at the moment unfortunately.
I'm a bit shocked that the motorists aren't more hacked off with it, far worse for them than any bicycle rider.
Another uninsured driver who will leave his victim's family looking to make a voluntary claim from the MIB , as they have no driver to claim against with a substantially dufferent insured claim. This can lead to dreadful financial consequences . Uninsured drivers are a curse on the roads , and it is time to make this an offence with such penalties that it is as unacceptable as drink driving. estimate is of over a million uninsured drivers. Its not possible to buy a car in France without insurance. Here it is an offence which does not seem to matter.
After he comes out he should be tagged and then arrested if GPS shows he's traveling above 20mph for any reason. A death or serious injury was the only end to that sequence of behaviour. Shame it was to someone else.
I bet he'll respect the driving ban....
Six years does not sound like much for what he did. There was no defence really, pleading guilty is hardly mitigation.
Six years = out in 3.
And yep, a driving ban is unlikely to mean much to him. Sounds from the description like a career criminal already. Should have got done for attempting to pervert the course of justice, leaving the scene of an accident plus a couple of extra counts of dangerous driving.
Argh, why is he ever allowed to take a test? Let him take the fucking bus.
Given his past record, I doubt he'd take a test. And that might not stop him from driving again either. How many firms would insure him anyway, even if he did have a licence? And if he did find an insurer willing to give him cover, do you think he'd be able to afford the premium?
Maybe he'll become a reformed character, but I won't hold my breath.
RIP to his victim and my condolences to the victim's family.
Wish it was that straight forward. But his conviction won't be taken into account 5 years after the conviction date, which given the length of ban means it won't affect his insurance by the time he can get a licence.
As far as the uninsured bit goes my knowledge is a bit sketchy on this but as it was his g/FSA car, I believe her insurer picks up the cost as there is third party cover on the vehicle, and insurers aren't allowed to refuse third party claims when they have an insurance interest. As I understand it, the MIB is mainly for paying compensation when the vehicle responsible is untraceable and hence any insurance on that vehicle isn't determinable.
Whilst it sound feasible, as they also convicted him for splash and dashing at petrol stations, I assume any addresses the vehicle was registered at did not count anymore so she might not have had insurance either.