Drunk driver who killed pensioner in hit and run jailed

BBC Published May 21, 2010 Reviewed Jul 2, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Philip Taylor was 78 years old at the time of the incident.

78 years · age of Philip Taylor

McManus was sentenced to six years in prison.

6 years · prison sentence Lord Matthews, Judge

McManus had an alcohol level of 173 µg per 100 ml of breath, while the legal limit is 35 µg per 100 ml.

173 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath · measured alcohol level35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath · legal alcohol limit

McManus was banned from driving for ten years.

10 years · driving disqualification period Lord Matthews, Judge

McManus had an alcohol level of 173 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath

173 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath · blood alcohol level court, hearing

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath

35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath · legal limit court, hearing

John McManus drove 11.9 metres on the pavement before striking Philip Taylor.

11.9 metres · distance driven on pavement

John McManus was five times the legal alcohol limit.

5 · alcohol level relative to legal limit

The vehicle traveled approximately 11.9 metres before striking the victim.

11.9 metres · distance driven before impact Lord Matthews, Judge

The fatal incident occurred on 1 December 2008.

Mr Taylor had been married for 49 years.

49 years · duration of marriage Lord Matthews, Judge

The court heard that John McManus was five times the legal alcohol limit.

5 times · alcohol limit The court

Judge Lord Matthews sentenced John McManus to six years in jail.

6 years · jail sentence Lord Matthews, judge

Judge Lord Matthews stated that John McManus drove for approximately 11.9 metres along a pavement before striking the victim.

11.9 metres · distance driven on pavement Lord Matthews, judge

Judge Lord Matthews mentioned that Mr. Taylor had been married for 49 years.

49 years · duration of marriage Lord Matthews, judge

McManus was jailed for six years

6 years · sentence length judge, sentencing

John McManus was 42 years old

42 years · age article, report

Philip Taylor was 78 years old

78 years · age article, report

John McManus had consumed a quarter-bottle of vodka.

0.25 bottles · vodka consumed

John McManus had stopped drinking three hours before the collision.

3 hours · time since last drink before collision

McManus had only stopped drinking three hours before the collision

3 hours · time since last drink article, report

McManus had a quarter-bottle of vodka in his pocket when he was pulled over by police

0.25 bottle · vodka bottle article, report

McManus drove for some 11.9 metres before striking the victim

11.9 metres · distance driven judge, sentencing

A drunk driver who knocked down and killed a pensioner while he was five times the legal alcohol limit has been jailed for six years.

John McManus, 42, mounted a pavement and struck 78-year-old Philip Taylor in New Stevenson, North Lanarkshire, in December 2008.

At an earlier hearing he also admitted failing to stop after the incident.

The level of alcohol in his blood was one of the highest ever recorded in a driver in Scotland.

The High Court in Livingston heard Mr Taylor and his wife has been nearing their golden wedding anniversary when McManus's hired Citroen Berlingo hit him as he walked along Coronation Road on 1 December 2008.

McManus, who ran his own courier firm, had only stopped drinking three hours before the collision, and had a quarter-bottle of vodka in his pocket when he was pulled over by police.

The court heard that on the day of the incident McManus had been dropping off parcels with a colleague, Stuart Kerr.

McManus had complained of feeling unwell and dropped Mr Kerr off, saying he was going home to rest.

However, Mr Kerr later received a phone call from McManus who told him he had run over someone.

Mr Kerr told him to remain at the scene but McManus fled.

He was later stopped by police as he made his way back along Coronation Road in the van, which had a shattered windscreen.

Advocate depute Michael Stuart said that police noticed there was a strong smell of alcohol and he was slurring his speech.

Mr Stuart said: "He failed a breath test and was arrested and taken to Motherwell police office and searched."

The quarter bottle of vodka fell out of the accused's pocket during the search.

McManus had an alcohol level of 173 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Sentencing him, judge Lord Matthews said: "Because of the state you were in your vehicle mounted a pavement along which you drove for some 11.9 metres before striking and killing a much-loved husband and father.

"Then you drove off without rendering assistance. I have no doubt that you are devastated by what you have done, and that your own family will share that pain, but it pales into insignificance beside the consequences visited on Mr Taylor and his loved ones."

He added: "Mr Taylor had been married for 49 years and while 78 years of age he played an active part in his family's life and could have been expected to provide his love and support for years to come.

"No sentence I can impose can undo the harm you did."

McManus was also banned from driving for 10 years.

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