15/09/2015

Man Jailed For Killing Pedestrian With Stolen Car

An 18-year-old man has been jailed for the death of a pedestrian hit by a stolen car he was driving.

Michael Philbert, of Constable Mews, Bromley, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and disqualified from driving for three years. He will serve nine months in youth custody and then a further nine months on licence when released.

The court heard how police were called on Thursday, 19 June 2014, at approximately 11:00hrs to reports of a woman injured following a collision with a black Range Rover in Eynsham Drive, at the junction with Finchale Road, SE2.

Officers, London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended and the 64-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was later identified as Brenda Croke, of Grovebury Road, London.

Five days later Michael Philbert, who was aged 17 at the time of the collision, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit launched a investigation which forensically linked Philbert to the car involved in the fatal collision.

The car he was driving was stolen but he could not conclusively be linked to its theft.

He was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving on 2 September.

Detective Sergeant Richard Budd from the Road and Transport Policing Command said: "Philbert was unlicensed, untrained and uninsured when he drove a stolen car and killed a pedestrian on a footpath. He was driving at speed and rather than attempt to help the woman he drove into, he fled the scene.

"His callous actions have had a devastating affect on the victim's family. I would like to pay tribute to them and the many witnesses who came forward and helped secure this conviction."

(MH/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

31 October 2005
Government to crack down on death driving offences
Tough new offences to deal with drivers who cause death on the roads were announced today by the government.
15 July 2008
Death Drivers To Face Tougher Sentences
Motorists convicted of causing death by dangerous driving in England and Wales could face harsher sentences under tough new guidelines introduced today. The guidance, issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, covers the offences of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
27 February 2004
Maximum sentence for death drivers rises to 14 years
The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving will increase from 10 to 14 years, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced today. The increase will target drivers who kill, be it through driving dangerously, driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs or joyriding.
23 September 2005
Lack of driver education to blame for fatal accidents
A lack of driver education is to blame for fatal accidents on motorways according to a report by an insurance company. Direct Line, the UK's largest car insurer, is calling for changes to the driving test to include education on motorway driving due to a rise in the number of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGV).
18 April 2007
One person killed in M1 collision
One man has died and four others have been injured following a collision on the M1 motorway through Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The collision, which involved four HGV lorries - one of which was a petrol tanker - and a car, happened on the northbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 14 around 2:45am on Wednesday morning.