Off-duty police officer jailed for causing death of shopkeeper in crash
A police officer has been jailed for causing the death of a popular shopkeeper.
Balvinder Singh was taken to hospital after a crash on Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, but died later the same day from his injuries.
The 59-year-old, from Wednesfield, was driving his Mercedes Sprinter van when he was hit head on by a Hyundai, driven by off-duty Staffordshire Police officer Jason Bannister, in December 2016.
Bannister was treated for minor injuries and, following an investigation by West Midlands Police’s serious collision investigation team, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving earlier this year.
Bannister is currently suspended from his position at Staffordshire Police pending the outcome of the case.
The 45-year-old pleaded guilty at a hearing on September 21 and was today sentenced to 18 months imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court. He will also be banned from driving for three years and nine months.
Shortly after his death, Mr Singh’s family paid tribute to their loved one.
They said: “He was the most loyal and hard-working family man, with three children and six grandchildren who were his everything one of which he never got to meet. He was loved throughout the community."
Mr Singh featured in the Express & Star in December 2016 after he fended off a robber who was armed with a hammer.
The grandfather was behind the counter of his Nordley Stores off licence, on the corner of Nordley Road and Frederick Road, in Wednesfield, when a man dressed in a hooded sweatshirt burst in demanding cash.
