Drink-driver who killed cyclist told to prepare for jail

A drink-driver has been told he will be jailed after Christmas for causing the death of a cyclist last year.

Steven Farrish, aged 49, died when he was struck by a car driven by David Leather, 32, at around 1am on 21 October last year, reports Cheshire Live.

The fatal crash happened on the A523 between Bosley, Cheshire and Leek, Staffordshire.

Mr Farrish, a musician known as Riverboat Steve, had been cycling home to his houseboat after an evening out in Macclesfield where he was a well-known and popular figure on the local music scene.

Leather, from Leek, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Chester Crown Court.

Anna Massells, prosecuting, told the court that Leather had admitted being over the drink-drive limit and was speeding at the time of the collision.

“Accident investigators concluded that this was an open, straight stretch of road,” she said.

“They concluded that any driver would have been able to see Mr Farrish for between 12 and 15 seconds prior to colliding with him.

“Mr Farrish was also wearing a high visibility vest at the time of the collision.”

Judge Stephen Everett, who adjourned sentencing until Monday 7 January, told Leather that he would receive a custodial sentence.

He said: “It’s not a matter of if you’re going to custody it’s a matter of how long. That’s for me to decide.

“And you must not think you will be out and about over Christmas with the restrictions I’m going to impose.”

The judge placed a curfew on Leather from 6.30pm-5am each day, and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays he must report to a police station from 3pm-5pm. He was also given an interim driving ban.

“You need to get your affairs and businesses in order as you know what to expect when I next see you,” the judge added.