GRANDAD

FOR DEAD

'Callous' driver

fled after late

night collision

'Callous driver' jailed for 4 years

By WENDY BARLOW

Court Reporter

KILLED: Jack Fallows

DEAD

A "CALLOUS" businessman who killed a pensioner in a late-night hit-and-run smash was today starting a four-year jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Zahid Shafi, 39, who had been concentrating on finding a takeaway rather than on the road ahead, sped off with a smashed windscreen after knocking down 71-year-old grandfather of three John "Jack" Fallows.

He left him dying in the road and then tried to cover his tracks by having his BMW repaired and pretending he had hit a tree.

As Shafi was sentenced it was revealed he had a previous conviction for drink driving.

Judge Raymond Bennett told him his actions in not stopping had not only been unlawful but had denied the police the

chance to breath test him. The judge said Shafi had been more interested in his stomach than in the road and his behaviour after he struck Mr Fallows was callous and dreadful.

The defendant, of Colne Road, Burnley, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice, last November 27. He was also banned for five years and must pass an extended driving test.

Richard Haworth, prosecuting, told the court divorced former lagger Mr Fallows, of Cardinal Street, Burnley, had been to the Paradise Club in the town and had had about five pints.

He left just before 11.30pm and crossed Colne Road on or near a pedestrian crossing.

Mr Fallows was hit by Shafi's BMW, doing 40mph on the 30mph road, thrown into the air and landed on the ground.

The prosecutor said the defendant's explanation that he did not realise he had knocked anybody down was "utter nonsense".

His windscreen was damaged and he fled to the apparent safety of his home, leaving the victim "grievously injured in the road with his life ebbing away".

Mr Haworth said a nurse dashed to Mr Fallows' aid, an ambulance was called, emergency treatment given and he was rushed to hospital.

Despite efforts to save him, he died at 12.35am. A post mortem examination later revealed he died of multiple injuries.

The next day Shafi took his car to Summit Auto Repairs in Burnley and told staff he had hit a tree.

Workers, who saw blood in the vehicle and the extent of damage, alerted police. The defendant was later arrested and interviewed.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Shafi, married with children, had not been racing, running from the police or trying to test the boundaries of his car.

He had been on his way from home and had been hungry and distracted.

He bitterly regretted what happened and wishes he had done things differently that day.

The defendant ran four businesses, employed 30 people and travelled hundreds of miles a day.

After the case, Detective Inspector Steve Chard said he was satisfied with the outcome of the case.

He added: "It was very tragic. Mr Fallows was a very likeable and well-known man in the Colne Road area."

chance to breath test him. The judge said Shafi's behaviour after he struck Mr Fallows was callous and dreadful.

The defendant, of Colne Road, Burnley, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice, last November 27. He was also banned for five years and must pass an extended driving test.

Richard Haworth, prosecuting, told the court divorced former lagger Mr Fallows, of Cardinal Street, Burnley, had been to the Paradise Club. He left just before 11.30pm and crossed Colne Road on or near a pedestrian crossing.

Mr Fallows was hit by Shafi's BMW, doing 40mph on the 30mph road and thrown into the air.

The prosecutor said the defendant's explanation that he did not realise he had knocked anybody down was "utter nonsense".

His windscreen was damaged and he fled to the apparent safety of his home, leaving the victim "grievously injured in the road with his life ebbing away".

Mr Haworth said an ambulance was called and he was rushed to hospital.

Despite efforts to save him, he died at 12.35am. A post mortem examination later revealed he died of multiple injuries.

The next day Shafi took his car to Summit Auto Repairs in Burnley and told staff he had hit a tree.

Workers, who saw blood in the vehicle and the extent of damage, alerted police. The defendant was later arrested and interviewed.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Shafi, married with children, had not been racing, running from the police or trying to test the boundaries of his car.

He had been on his way from home and had been hungry and distracted.

He bitterly regretted what happened and wishes he had done things differently that day.

The defendant ran four businesses, employed 30 people and travelled hundreds of miles a day.