Drink-driver hit man and left him to die on roadside

A businesswoman who mowed down a cyclist and left him to die after she drove home drunk rather than pay £10 for a taxi was jailed for eight years.

Melissa Darbyshire, 31, mowed down father-of-two Miroslaw Chlap, 48, after a wine binge. She then left him dying at the roadside for up to 20 minutes while she drove home.

Darbyshire, from Knutsford, was found guilty at Chester Crown Court of causing death by careless driving while over the legal alcohol limit. She admitted a further charge of causing death by careless driving, but denied being drunk at the time of the impact. A breath test showed a reading of 88mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.