Hit-and-run driver jailed for 10 years

Connor McCaugherty, 22, of no fixed abode, stole a Ford Mondeo in Bordesley Green, Birmingham on March 17, filling the car up with petrol at a petrol station days later and driving off without paying.

Police saw McCaugherty driving the car on March 26 after being called to a burglary in Erdington and set about trying to pull him over.

He then led police on a high speed pursuit for several miles, before switching his headlights off in an attempt to lose officers.

As he approached the Belgrave Middleway, a traffic light controlled junction with pedestrian crossing, the traffic lights were on red, but he continued to drive at high speed through the red signal, without braking.

Dil Bhadur Subedi was crossing the road with another pedestrian at the time and as McCaugherty drove through the junction, he hit the victim.

He then drove away from the scene while officers tried to give medical assistance to Mr Subedi.

The following day, police found the stolen Mondeo in Northfield where it had been set on fire.

McCaugherty was arrested on 30 March when he was seen driving a stolen Citroen C4.

He abandoned the car and officers detained him on canal towpath.

McCaugherty pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of assault by beating, two of making off without payment, dangerous driving, possessing a controlled drug of class B, perverting the course of justice and taking a conveyance without authority.

He was also sentenced for offences of dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, assaulting an officer and criminal damage which were all committed on 11 December 2016.

In these matters, McCaugherty had again driven dangerously to evade police over roads, which included the Belgrave Middleway.

Paul Reid, District Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Over a short period of time, Connor McCaugherty committed a number of offences which culminated in the death of Dil Bhadur Subedi.

“The victim was crossing the road when the defendant’s car struck him.

"Knowing he had hit a pedestrian, McCaugherty failed to stop and instead used this opportunity to make his escape.

“Our thoughts are today with family and friends of Mr Subedi.”