Driver killed cyclist after ‘8-hour drinking session’
Hit-and-run motorist left victim ‘dying in the road’
KILLER hit-and-run motorist David Leather has been jailed for six years and nine months after a court heard he was over the drink-drive limit and speeding when he mowed down cyclist Steven Farrish – just minutes after leaving a nightclub. Full story – page 7
KILLER hit-and-run motorist David Leather was over the drink-drive limit and speeding when he mowed down a cyclist – just minutes after leaving a nightclub.
The 33-year-old embarked on an eight-hour drinking session before getting behind the wheel of his Ford Ranger.
The dad-of-two smashed into musician Steven Farrish, who was wearing a high-visibility jacket and had a flashing light on the back of his bike.
Now Leather, of Warrington Drive, Leek, has been jailed for six years and nine months, and disqualified from driving for eight years. He admitted causing the death of 49-year-old Steven – who was known as Riverboat Steve and lived on a Macclesfield narrowboat – by dangerous driving.
Chester Crown Court heard how the crash happened on the A523 between Macclesfield and Leek at 12.30am on October 21, 2017.
Leather abandoned his vehicle away from the crash scene before picking it up later.
Prosecutor Maria Masselis said: “The defendant was driving home on a straight stretch of the A523 when he noticed he had struck something, what he thought to be a deer, but didn’t see that a cycle was attached to his vehicle.
“The road had a 50mph speed limit and he was driving at around 60mph. He had been drinking between 4pm and midnight.
“It is estimated that he would have been twice the legal drink-drive limit, and that Mr Farrish would have been visible for between 12 and 15 seconds.”
The court heard the businessman has two previous convictions for driving offences, including drink-driving in January 2015.
Bob Sastry, mitigating, said: “Mr Leather wishes to extend, through me, his profound remorse to the family of Mr Farrish. The incident is only down to him and his extremely bad choice to go behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
“He can’t explain why he didn’t see Steven on a dark and straight road. He is a hard-working man, he’s a partner in his building firm, and employs 15 members of staff.”
Judge Steven Everett told Leather: “You drank and drove twice. You had four pints and more before you went home to pick up your partner. That didn’t stop you going back out again and carrying on drinking.”
Cheshire Police welcomed conviction.
PC Iain Condliffe said: “Leather left Steven dying in the road and immediately attempted to cover his tracks and then claim that he had collided with a deer. His actions were callous and calculating and he is now facing the consequences.
“While this result will not bring Steven back, I hope it will help his family and friends in some way to come to terms with this terrible tragedy.” the