Killer of ‘cherished’ academic given long jail term
THE FAMILY of a respected Yorkshire academic who was run down by a drug dealer have paid tribute to a “cherished and inspirational” father after his killer was jailed for 10 years.
Dr Andrew Platten, 55, was cycling in Bingley when he was hit by an out-of-control Vauxhall Vectra driven at 70mph by Akash Rashid, who was fleeing police after being spotted selling cannabis to sixth-form students.
Rashid, 22, tried to run off after the crash but was arrested. He was yesterday jailed for 10 years by a judge, who described his driving as ‘grotesque’.
At Bradford Crown Court, Dr Platten’s son described in a victim impact statement how he would give anything to spend even five seconds with the father he looked up as a hero and a mentor.
The case is only the second in the last decade where a motorist in Yorkshire has been jailed for more than 10 years for causing death by dangerous driving.
Dr Platten, who was chairman of the Centre for Knowledge Excellence, an enterprise hub at Leeds Beckett University, was killed on Cottingley Cliffe Road in Bingley, West Yorkhire, last July.
Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how Rashid had been seen supplying a £10 cannabis deal to a group of sixth form students, but when officers in an unmarked vehicle illuminated their lights and sirens he accelerated away.
Prosecutor Howard Shaw told the court that during the pursuit Rashid ignored junctions and weaved from side to side as he tried to pass a van.
As he went round a bend on Cottingley Cliffe Road at more than 70mph Rashid, who was driving without a full licence or insurance, lost control of the Vec- tra and it veered across the road, hitting Dr Platten.
Mr Shaw said the victim’s bicycle disintegrated and Dr Platten suffered catastrophic injures and almost certainly died instantaneously.
After catching Rashid, officers recovered a bag containing a further 16 cannabis deals along with £190 in cash. He was later tested for drugs in his system and found to be over the limit for cannabis.
Rashid pleaded guilty to a series of offences including causing death by dangerous driving, supplying cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
He also admitted driving while under the influence of drugs and an unrelated assault offence for which he was on police bail at the time of the fatal collision.
A letter by Rashid was read out in which he accepted that he deserved a long prison sentence and apologised to Dr Platten’s family.