Passenger killed by his Uber driver
AN UBER driver killed a passenger in a Glasgow hit- and- run.
Kunathilinghan Mohanthas fatally struck Christopher Hanton in the city centre last August 5.
Mohanthas had told the 40- year- old mortgage advisor to get out of his Mercedes Vito just moments after picking him up.
The 48- year- old deliberately hit Mr Hanton as he then drove off leaving the dad of one for dead.
Mr Hanton never recovered after hitting his head on the ground and passed away in hospital days later.
Mohanthas now faces a lengthy jail term after he yesterday pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC told how Mr Hanton, of Chryston, North Lanarkshire, had been on a night out with friends.
He then ordered a ride home on the Uber app around 10.30pm.
Mohanthas was allocated the pick- up and drove to the city’s George Street where Mr Hanton was. Mr Hanton went in the back before the cabbie then got out and asked him to leave his vehicle, which he did.
Mohanthas then began a three- point turn as Mr Hanton
approached the Mercedes and slapped the back of the vehicle. He ended up in front of the car, now stationary.
Mr Cameron then explained: “To complete the three- point turn, Mohanthas would have steered to the right.
“Instead, he made a sudden turn to the left towards Mr Hanton, who was struck by the front of the vehicle.
“This caused him to fall backwards and strike his head on the road. Mohanthas did not stop – he continued steering to the right again, completed his turn and drove off.”
Passers- by went to help a bleeding Mr Hanton. He was soon rushed to hospital, but he passed away on August 9 due to the head injury.
Mohanthas walked back to the scene 15 minutes later.
He approached a police officer and admitted he had “hit” Mr Hanton.
Mohanthas, of Glasgow, stated he had refused to take the dad and claimed Mr Hanton had then started “punching” his car.
He later added: “I have not done anything to anyone deliberately.”
Mr Cameron said Mohanthas had previous convictions for dishonesty and a public order offence.
Lord Clark deferred sentencing for reports until May 13 in Kilmarnock.
In a tribute following the tragedy, Mr Hanton’s family spoke of a “devoted and dedicated husband” to his wife as well as a “loving father” to his young son.