Driver ‘knew he had clipped victim’
HIT-AND-RUN driver Marc Dightam was originally charged with attempted murder.
Dightam, 32, of Turves Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Manchester Crown Court and is due to be sentenced this week.
Prosecutor Gary Woodhall told court: “(Dightam) admitted in interview that he knew he had ‘clipped’ the complainant, that he had gone under the vehicle, and that he chose to drive with him under the vehicle for 45 metres.”
Dightam appeared in court as a remand prisoner and was supported by his family.
At the plea hearing Paul Bryning, defending, asked Judge Martin Rudland if Dightam – who has previous convictions but has never been to jail – could have his case adjourned for a presentence report.
The judge agreed, but described Dightam’s offence as ‘as bad a case as you can get’.
The hearing was attended by David Hunt, 62, from Brinnington, who told our sister paper the M.E.N he had been drinking in the George and Dragon with victim Colin Bowler.
Mr Hunt said: “I was just making my way out when the car hit him.
“Colin was bouncing up and down under the car but the guy just kept going. It was horrific, we thought he was dead. It’s without doubt the most traumatic thing I have witnessed in my life.”