Final moments of bike owner, 53, peddling dwelling from work revealed earlier than being mowed down in hit and run simply days earlier than Christmas – as ‘reckless’ drink-driver is jailed for 13 years

A ‘egocentric and reckless’ hit and run driver has been jailed for 13 years for killing a bike owner in a crash 4 days earlier than Christmas.

Gregg Marsh, 24, from Ackworth, West Yorkshire, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court docket after being discovered responsible of inflicting dying by harmful driving.

He claimed to not have seen 53-year-old Shaun Parkin-Coates when he mowed him down regardless of his sufferer being ‘lit up like a Christmas tree’.

Heartbreaking footage of the final moments of his life confirmed Mr Parkin-Coates getting onto his bike at a zebra crossing in a parking lot, earlier than peddling away onto the principle street. 

Marsh struck the bike owner, who was heading in the identical course, at round at 6.30am on December 21, 2019.

Gregg Marsh, 24, (pictured) from Ackworth, West Yorkshire, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court docket after being discovered responsible of inflicting dying by harmful driving

He then drove his mangled Ford Fiesta 5 miles dwelling and climbed into mattress – the place police discovered him. 

The 24-year-old admitted being the motive force however denied understanding he had struck Mr Parkin-Coates, despite the fact that he had continued driving after the crash with a badly broken automobile and smashed windscreen brought on by the influence.

He instructed police: ‘I heard a bang however I didn’t see something. I didn’t assume I hit a bike owner. I used to be trying via the home windows. There was nothing harmful about it.’

Marsh failed a drink-drive take a look at on the station, to which he sounded baffled and was heard to say he had solely had ‘about half a Smirnoff Ice’ – an alcopop with related power to beer.

He later admitted he drank one other small can of cider earlier than his arrest.

Mr Parkin-Coates was heading dwelling from an evening shift at a Subsequent distribution centre on the morning he was killed.

Witnesses described him as being effectively lit and carrying reflective clothes, whereas the lights on his rucksack and bicycle had been turned on. One stated he was ‘lit up like a Christmas tree’.

Mr Parkin-Coates (pictured) was heading dwelling from an evening shift at a Subsequent distribution centre on the morning he was killed

Detective Sergeant Paul Lightowler, of the West Yorkshire Police Main Collision Enquiry Crew, stated: ‘Shaun was making his manner dwelling from work, with only a few days to go earlier than Christmas, when one man’s egocentric and reckless actions took away his future.

‘He was carrying reflective clothes and had lights on his bike and backpack and had taken all smart precautions that we might count on a bike owner to take when travelling at night time.

‘Earlier than the collision, Marsh had been seen driving erratically and, on his arrest, had alcohol, cocaine and hashish in his system.

‘His behaviour and method of driving that night time was harmful and sadly has finally resulted in Shaun’s dying.

‘I hope the conclusion of the court docket case brings some closure for Shaun’s household and buddies after what has been a completely unimaginable few years.’