Disqualified driver who killed man and seriously injured his wife in Sedgley hit-and-run is jailed for 15 years

Andrew and Jenny Massey were crossing Tipton Road, Woodsetton, on January 26 at 8.30pm when Grant Merridith-Trafford hit them in a powerful Subaru Impreza.

He was uninsured and without a licence.

Mr Massey, 64, died at the scene and Mrs Massey, 61, was seriously injured.

Merridith-Trafford previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and without a licence.

Forensic analysis of CCTV footage showed that his car was travelling at between 64 and 68mph just before the collision, which happened in a 30mph limit.

Meredith-Trafford drove off immediately after hitting the couple but, following a public appeal and investigation, he was arrested on February 19.

On Tuesday at Birmingham Crown Court, the 31-year-old, of Crescent Avenue, Brierley Hill, was sentenced to 15 years in jail after the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving was recently increased from 14 years to life imprisonment. Meredith-Trafford was also disqualified from driving for 17 years.

The family of Mr Massey led the tributes to him after his death.

They said: “He was a highly skilled, knowledgeable and selfless family man; he was kind and would do anything for anybody.”

“He will be greatly missed by his family and the whole community.”

The family added: “The family would like to thank passers-by who stopped to assist and thank them for their kindness and quick actions immediately following the fatal incident.”

The police investigation was helped by residents across Sedgley and Dudley.

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the force's serious collision investigation unit, said: "Grant Meredith-Trafford’s reckless behaviour and callous disregard for road safety resulted in the tragic death of a man, which has left his wife, who has not fully recovered from the injuries she also sustained in the collision, utterly bereft.

“This tragedy has deeply affected the family and shocked the local community, and I would like to thank everyone who rallied around our appeal and came forward with information to help us with our investigation.

“No sentence can ever replace the loss of a loved one but I hope that these new guidelines and today’s sentence sends a message that this manner of driving will not be tolerated on our roads."

He also paid tribute to the victim's family, adding: “I would also again like to thank the family who have demonstrated patience and control during these devastating times.”