The family of an 86-year-old man who died in a car crash have paid tribute after a driver pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving.
Roy Jones was involved in a crash with another vehicle on Belmont Way in Stockport, at the junction of Short Street, at around 11.48pm on August 27, 2021. Roy, a stage performer known locally as Steve Russell and the ‘Singing Milkman’, was driving home after performing at The Moor Club in Heaton Moor.
He was taken to hospital following the incident, but died from his injuries almost two months later on October 16. Jack Lomas, 28, of Warbeck Close in Stockport, pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
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On Thursday (June 8) at Minshull Street Crown Court, Lomas was sentenced concurrently to nine years in prison for death by dangerous driving and two years and eight months for serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 13 years and two months.
The court had previously heard that Lomas had been at the Carousel Pub drinking with friends on the night of the incident. Upon leaving, Lomas and five other people got into a BMW, with four of them sitting across the rear seats.
As Lomas travelled along Belmont Way, the BMW collided with Mr Jones' vehicle as it was in the process of turning into Short Street. Lomas was arrested and found to be over the prescribed limit of alcohol.
Lomas was charged and later released under unconditional bail. At Stockport Magistrates Court on September 13, 2021, he pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit. Following the death of Mr Jones a month later, Lomas was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Speaking following Lomas’ sentencing, Roy’s family said their lives would be a ‘duller place’ without the 86-year-old.
"As a family, we are pleased with the sentence today and feel it goes some way in providing justice for Roy,” his family said in a statement issued by Greater Manchester Police.
"Mr Lomas can never know the heartache that he has caused. We all, including the community, lost a shining light of joy that day and the world is a duller place without Roy Jones in it.”
Sergeant Phill Collingwood, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, added: “Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a lengthy investigation process.
“Lomas made the decision on the night of the offence to drive a vehicle at well above the speed limit while intoxicated. His actions led to the death of Roy Jones and serious injury of another.
“We hope Lomas’ sentencing will allow the family of Roy to move forward, and also serve as a deterrent to the people who think they can use our roads with impunity."
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