A cowardly man who hit a pedestrian and left him to die in the middle of the road in a shocking hit-a-run has been jailed.
Kyle Charlesworth, aged 28, from Furlong Road, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has been jailed after he fled the scene of a crash in Leeds, leaving a pedestrian with fatal injuries. The 28-year-old was driving without a licence and insurance when he hit Paul Collins with his car and killed him.
The incident happened on October 4, 2021, in Leeds, when Kyle was behind the wheel of his Seat Ibiza that hit Paul Collins, a pedestrian. Charlesworth had driven off after failing to stop for the police that evening, travelling at more than twice the speed limit and driving dangerously, the court heard.
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Paul “Joseph” Collins, 68, was found injured and was treated by officers and ambulance staff, but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on East Park Parade in the East End Park area of Leeds. Charlesworth, fled the scene of the collision but was later arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing death while uninsured and unlicensed.
Appearing before Leeds Crown Court for sentencing today (January 5), Charlesworth, who admitted the charges at an earlier hearing, was jailed for six years and nine months. He was also banned from driving for five years which will start when he is released from prison.
The court heard from members of Mr Collins’ family who outlined that, prior to his death, they were in the process of reuniting with him after being estranged for a number of years. However, Charlesworth had taken this opportunity away from them. The family were thankful that Charlesworth had admitted his guilt.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Clare Barran of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “Kyle Charlesworth made a conscious decision to drive in the manner that he did on that night and showed no consideration whatsoever for anyone other than himself. Mr Collins was struck down having done nothing wrong and lost his life as a result.
“Our sympathies remain with the family of Mr Collins who have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one in such an avoidable case.”
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