Jailed Hughes to play again
Shamed footballer Lee Hughes is set to make a shock return to the game when he gets out of prison – less than four years after causing a car crash that killed a man.
The 31-year-old former Baggies star is close to signing for League One side Oldham Athletic if his forthcoming parole hearing is successful.
If released, Hughes, who is currently in Featherstone prison near Wolverhampton, will have served just half of his six-year prison sentence.
Smethwick-born Hughes was travelling in his £100,000 Mercedes in Meriden, near Coventry, in November 2003 when the fatal collision took place.
His Mercedes hit a vehicle carrying Douglas and Maureen Graham. Mr Graham was killed instantly. His widow died in her sleep 13 months later when her fam- ily said the 51-year-old was had been "brokenhearted" over her husband's death.
Hughes was given a six-year jail sentence after being found guilty of causing Mr Graham's death by dangerous driving following a trial at Coventry Crown Court in 2004.
West Bromwich Albion sacked Hughes from his £16,000-a-week contract just minutes after the jury returned its verdict.
However the former Kidderminster and Coventry forward looks to have negotiated a move to Oldham while still in prison.
Latics director Barry Owen has been instrumental in striking the deal to bring Hughes to Boundary Park and is calling on fans not to pass "moral judgment" on the former West Bromwich Albion striker.
Mr Owen told the club's official website: "Oldham Athletic does not condone what happened and we are very sympathetic towards the family of the victim. However, Lee Hughes is now nearing the end of his sentence and he has paid the price for what occurred."
