AN EX-police officer who knocked down and killed a devoted father-of-two and maimed his wife has been jailed for four years.

Mohammed Mian 31, who formerly served with the Metropolitan Police, was travelling at up to twice the speed limit when he ploughed into 49-year old Steve Campbell and his wife Rosemary.

The couple were walking back to their home in Urmston after a family party during the early hours of New Year's Day when they were hit by the car that twice-disqualified Mian was driving.

Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Mian, who had been driving his father's powerful Volvo estate car, had had his mobile phone in his hand at some point shortly before the horrendous accident on Stretford Road, Urmston.

Oblivious

He had been oblivious to illuminated signs on the road that flashed a warning to drivers if they exceeded the 30mph limit, and he failed to stop immediately after the crash.

The court was also told that as a young driver he had been twice disqualified for speeding, then less than six months after the horrific New Year accident, he was given a fixed penalty notice and three points on his licence after being caught speeding in a 30mph zone.

Mr Campbell's daughter Hayley, 25, said after the sentencing: “I think it's probably the best sentence we could have hoped for - but I think he should have been tried for murder and been given a life sentence.

“He has shown no remorse about what happened and that's sickening. Then having killed a man he still continues to go out and break the speed limit, so clearly he has not learned his lesson.”

Spinning

Justin Mayhoe prosecuting, said that Mian, who pleaded guilty to a single charge of causing death by dangerous driving, had hit the couple as he was driving to his home in Gredle Close, Urmston, after finishing his shift as a doorman at a club in Fallowfield.

He said the car hit Mr Campbell with such force that his right leg was severed below the knee, and he was hurled 'spinning' into the air. He died almost instantly.


"This is a grave case with horrendous consequences."
His Honour Judge Bernard Lever

His wife Rosemary, 53, who was in court in a wheelchair, was in a coma for six days where her chances of survival were given as just 20 per cent.

She suffered a smashed pelvis, spinal injuries and her left leg had to be amputated below the knee.

She has had to learn to walk again with the aid of a prosthetic leg, and a zimmer frame and now requires constant care.

Horrendous

Jailing Mian, His Honour Judge Bernard Lever told him: “This is a grave case with horrendous consequences.

He said aggravating features including his speed and the fact that he must have had his mobile phone in his hand shortly before the accident, took the case to the top of the sentencing bracket.

“As an ex police officer, you should have known better than anybody else the dangers of the road, and you knew that road well.

"You should have been especially vigilant as it was the early hours of New Year's Day.”

In addition to the jail sentence, Mian has been banned from driving for five years, and will have take an extended driving test to regain his licence.