Seven and a half years in jail for hit-and-run driver who left cyclist to die

A hit-and-run driver who left a cyclist to die has been jailed for seven and a half years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Nicholas Harrison, aged 59, died from injuries sustained when he was struck by a BMW 116i M Sport driven by 24-year-old Kade Scrivens at around 3.20am on 22 November last year, reports the Express & Star.

The court heard that Scrivens, who was on his way to see his girlfriend, lost control of the vehicle as he attempted to drive through a roundabout at Midland Road, Darlaston.

His vehicle crossed to the other side of the road where he hit the victim, who was returning home from a night shift at Yodel, throwing him into the air.

Scrivens, from Handsworth, fled from the scene and parked his car a mile away, removing the rear registration plate.

He handed himself in at a police station some 55 hours after the fatal incident, and was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

His solicitor, Theresa Hunt, told the court that her client was "wholeheartedly remorseful" for what he considered to be a “tragic accident” and that he had not gone to the police earlier due to panic.

However, Judge Simon Ward rejected those arguments and said that Scrivens had displayed a "blatant disregard to others."

He also said that he believed the delay between the fatal incident and Scrivens presenting himself to police was that he was intoxicated due to drink or drugs at the time of the crash.

Mr Harrison, who had also worked as a steward at West Bromwich Albion FC for 20 years, had been riding on a cycle path as he made his way home, with lights on his bike and a fluorescent sash.

Judge Ward, sentencing Scrivens, said: "Nicholas Harrison was a regular cyclist, he was as safe as any cyclist thought they could be.

“He was careful and responsible. You gave no thought to the safety of other people.

"You took off the last remaining number plate and lay low.

“Saying it was a tragic accident is a lie and you know it. I can only imagine how much Nicholas's friends will miss him."

Besides his jail term, Scrivens will be banned from driving for three years once his sentence finishes.

After sentencing, Sergeant Paul Hughes of West Midlands Police said: “Nicholas Harrison had done nothing wrong and was purely heading home from work as he did on a regular basis.

“Whilst Kade Scrivens has admitted the offence this will never bring back a life and I can only hope that the sentence offers some comfort to his family and friends."