Wirral scout leader jailed after killing a dad-of-two when he drove through a red light in Liverpool

Liverpool Crown Court heard that dad-of-two, Paul Read, 36, was crossing the junction of Queens Drive and Prescot Road, Old Swan, at 11.35am, on May 29, 2008, when he was run over by catering college student Luke McGowan, 22, in his white Ford Escort.

David Owen, prosecuting, said the light had been red for at least five seconds and when the green man came on, forklift truck driver, Mr Read stepped out, only to be hit straight away.

McGowan, a leader with the local Explorer Scouts, slammed on the brakes. He later called for an ambulance, but Mr Read died from his injuries.

Other drivers who saw the Escort seconds before, described it as being driven “aggressively”, and “frantically”, the court heard.

Nicola Daley, defending, said McGowan, of Balls Road, Prenton, had a history of depression and had himself lost his best friend in a crash – at the hands of a drink-driver.

Judge Clifton said McGowan, of Balls Road, Prenton, had, in his opinion, “deliberately ignored” the red light and although he was not speeding, the driving was “inappropriate for the conditions”. After McGowan pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, Judge Clifton sentenced him to two years in prison and banned him from driving for four years.

THE WIRRAL NEWS