A POPULAR pensioner who was on his way home from an afternoon out with friends was killed when he was struck by a speeding driver.

Harry Davies had just got off the bus, and was crossing Blackburn Road in Accrington when he had the misfortune of encountering a then 21-year-old Thuron Miah – who knocked him down while driving at more than 20mph over the speed limit.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the defendant has several motoring offences to his name, committed both before and after his driving killed Mr Davies.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Thuron Miah has been jailed for causing the death of Harry Davies, 75.

One of the offences resulted in Miah being disqualified, after he was caught reaching speeds of 119mph on the motorway.

He has also been dealt with for failing to provide details, driving without insurance and using a vehicle with a defected tyre, and has now been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.

Prosecuting the case, David Traynor described how 75-year-old Mr Davies had waited at the side of the road for around 19 seconds for an appropriate gap in the traffic after getting off the bus.

He said: “He then started crossing the road but was hit part-way across by a car driven by this defendant.

“The reason this collision occurred was because of the speed that this defendant was driving.

“The speed limit on the road was 30mph and the defendant was driving at no less than 53,5 miles per hour, and at the upper range, 61mph.

“Despite the defendant seeing Mr Davies and attempting to avoid him, his speed meant he was not able to stop in time.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Davies’ sister said she was left in "a state of complete disbelief and sadness" when she received the news her brother had been killed.

The court heard how he was a much-loved man around Accrington, with many friends and a family who adored him.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Harry Davies, whose death has left a huge hole in his family's life

The family went on to say that "every single happy occasion" is now tinged by sadness at the fact Harry is no longer alive.

In mitigation for Miah, Richard Dawson said: “This is a tragic case which has had catastrophic consequences for all of those concerned.

"Our sympathies and condolences are offered to the friends and family of Mr Davies.

“There is no sentence which this court can impose which would provide greater punishment to him than the torment he already inflicts upon himself.”

Mr Dawson went on to say that Miah was deeply remorseful for his actions, telling the court any custodial sentence would have a huge impact on Miah’s family and father – for whom he was said to be a carer.

Jailing Miah for three-and-a-half years, Judge Sara Dodd said: “This is a tragic case and nothing I can do today will lessen the grief of those who miss Harry Davies terribly.

“There are aggravating features in your past driving record. You were driving along a motorway, I believe the M65, at speeds that got as high as 119mph.

“Not only did being stopped not teach you a lesson, being disqualified did not deter you. None of these things discouraged you from speeding again.

“I have read the letters and there is much positive about you. You have had a significant caring role for your sick father and in particular I note all of the support you have given your siblings.”

The now 24-year-old was found guilty of death by dangerous driving by jury earlier this year.

Miah, of Ambledside Close, Blackburn, was also disqualified from driving for five-and-a-half years.