Gloucester driver jailed for 10 years over cyclist hit-and-run death

A 25-year-old driver has been jailed for 10 years after admitting causing the death of a great-grandfather in Gloucester, having originally denied the charge.

Tykeran Hamilton hit cyclist Alan Knight, 64, on September 26 last year on Stroud Road while driving at around 70mph, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Mr Knight was delivering newspapers when he was struck at around 7am. Hamilton drove away from the scene but his BMW 3 Series was recovered on the same day.

He reportedly went on the run for a month before being arrested on the suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard that Hamilton had been drinking vodka and taking cocaine before the incident occurred.

Hamilton's trial was due to begin today, but he changed his plea to guilty before the jury was sworn in. He admitted causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop after a road accident.

"Those near and dear to the deceased have waited nine months to hear a plea of guilty," the judge told Hamilton.

He will also serve a consecutive 12-month sentence for previous drugs offences and six months concurrent sentence for a previous offence of possessing a samurai sword in public.

Source: BBC/Western Daily Press