Christmas Eve killer driver who left dad to die in front of daughter jailed for 18 years
A hit-and-run driver has been jailed after killing a dad and injuring two others in a crash on Christmas Eve. Mark Plimmer was driving at speed when he lost control of his Vauxhall Vectra on Uttoxeter Road in Draycott-in-the-Moors, Staffordshire, last year.
The 28-year-old collided with a Mini Cooper and a Hyundai Tucson, parked near La Villa Verde restaurant, just as the driver and passengers were about to get into the Tucson. The impact caused serious injuries to pedestrians and 62-year-old Charalambos Nicolaou was killed in the collision in front of his daughter.
Mr Nicolaou, who was visiting friends from Cyprus, was pronounced dead at the scene after being trapped under the Vauxhall. Plimmer, also known as Mark Mellor, fled the scene but was found by officers hiding nearby. He was charged on Christmas Day.
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During his trial in July, Plimmer claimed his car was being driven by another person who he refused to name. The court heard Plimmer, the driver and sole occupant according to witnesses, was initially trapped in his vehicle which caught fire.
But he climbed out of a back window after residents who had heard the crash smashed the glass. CCTV evidence showed Plimmer had been drinking in a number of pubs before driving that night, but he refused a request to provide a specimen of breath or blood for analysis.
Forensic collision investigator Pc Brian Lovatt told the court the Vauxhall had been seen on CCTV 110 metres before the collision scene and calculations showed the car had been doing 81mph. The speed limit for the road is 40mph.
Plimmer of Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 18 years behind bars at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday, September 23.
Pc Jon Stant, who investigated the collision, said: “This horrific collision caused the death of Charalambos and serious injuries to his two friends who are still recovering from their injuries. Charalambos was in the country with his daughter visiting friends for Christmas.
"The fact the collision occurred in front of his daughter on Christmas Eve was even more devastating. Plimmer got behind the wheel of a car that night having consumed a large amount of alcohol.
"He was not legally allowed to drive the car and the speed he was travelling at was dangerous. His poor decision making that day led to this tragic and avoidable collision.
“For Plimmer to run from the scene while other members of the public rushed to help shows his blatant disregard for anyone else, his failure to accept responsibility for his actions has led to additional and unnecessary trauma for those involved.
“I would like to thank all the witnesses who came forward and provided evidence to assist the investigation and particularly the family of Charalambos who have waited patiently for justice throughout this difficult time."