Hit-and-run drunk driver who killed man jailed for six years
A drunk driver who killed a pedestrian and fled 65 miles from the scene with a broken windscreen has been jailed for six years.
Robert Brown, 27, collided with James Harris, 61, near the village of Taynuilt, Argyll, on October 10, 2021.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how Brown left him for dead and drove to Dumbarton, later telling police he thought he hit a deer. He was three times the drink driving limit.
Brown pled guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving before judge Lord Scott last January. Sentence was deferred until yesterday when he appeared via video link before the judge who sat at the High Court in Edinburgh.
During yesterday’s proceedings, defence advocate Tony Lenehan KC told Lord Scott of his client’s remorse of his actions. Observers sitting in the court could see Brown weeping as his counsel spoke.
However, the judge made reference to information which had been provided to him by Mr Harris’ family.
Passing sentence, Lord Scott told Brown that he would have received nine years had he not pleaded guilty.
Speaking about Mr Harris, Lord Scott added: “His death has devastated those who knew him and his death has had an ongoing impact on their mental health.
“I have read their moving victim impact statements. I note his death robbed him of the opportunity of meeting his two latest grandchildren.
“Only a custodial sentence is appropriate in these circumstances. It is necessary to punish you and to deter others from behaving in this way and to protect the public from you.”
At the earlier hearing, the court heard that Mr Harris, a father of two who worked as a ferry motorman, had been at a friend's birthday party with his wife.
He left the party alone at the end of the night and took the “dark” route back home on an unlit road.
Brown, of Shotts, Lanarkshire, was staying at a hotel in Taynuilt for work purposes.
CCTV showed Brown drinking alcohol before he left the hotel in his car with his belongings around 12:15am.
The exact details of the collision are unknown. It is believed the crash happened abut 15 minutes later.
Prosecutor Gavin Anderson KC told the court Mr Harris was "projected from the Skoda" and came to rest next to a grass verge.
Brown accepted that he was travelling in excess of the 30mph speed limit.
A member of the public found Mr Harris on the road unconscious with a serious head injury after 1am. A 999 call was made and Mr Harris was pronounced dead at 01:39am.
Mr Anderson stated Mr Harris was “immediately dead” after the collision.
Brown’s car was later recovered and it was noted there was “windscreen damage with no clear view”.
Lord Scott banned Brown from driving for 12 years.