Hit and run killer lorry driver walks away from court despite admitting guilt

A lorry driver who killed a cyclist in a hit-and-run collision has escaped jail with a suspended sentence after pleading guilty.


Mark Baker, 40, carried on his journey to Wrexham in his delivery lorry despite hitting and killing cyclist Michael Saunders on the A49 in Shropshire a year ago in the early hours of the morning.

Baker admitted admitted causing the death of 61-year-old Mr Saunders by careless driving and was given a 26 month sentence, suspended for a year, the Evesham Journal reported.

Judge Jonathan Gosling told Baker: "No sentence I pass can put the clock back, nor can it give any comfort to Mr Saunders’ family and friends. His family have been left bereft by his loss.”

Baker was also sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work, disqualified from driving for two years and must complete an extended driving test to regain his licence.



Huw Evans, for Baker, said: “He can only think that he was dazzled by on-coming traffic. His thoughts are very much with the family of Mr Baker and acknowledged the ordeal they have had to go through,” he said.

Last June we reported how the body of Michael Saunders was discovered at around 5am the following morning between Leebotwood and Dorrington by a tractor driver.

The victim had been riding home to Bayston Hill from his workplace in Church Stretton.

West Mercia Police traced a lorry that they believe may have been involved in the incident and went to South Wales to interview the driver.