Driver who killed dad and son fled after 'brief look' at dying pair

A callous hit-and-run driver nicknamed Bane - after the Batman villain - was captured on CCTV footage driving in his damaged car after killing a father and son. Uninsured Paul Yates, 36, can be seen putting the bonnet back down on his VW Golf just moments after ploughing into cyclists Dean Jones, 44, and Lewis Daines, 16.

Yates - who was arrested after an 11-day manhunt - lost control of his motor and careered into pair. South Yorkshire Police said he briefly walked over to the pair as they lay dying, before fleeing the scene in his battered red vehicle.

He was this week jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to causing the deaths by dangerous driving along with a separate count of dangerous driving. Sheffield Crown Court heard how Yates had been drinking in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, before getting behind the wheel on January 20 last year.

Police footage showed he attempted to overtake a vehicle at speed in Royston Road before he then lost control and struck Dean and Lewis. Yates then drove off from the scene of the crash in his damaged car, which by this time had its airbags deployed.

He even calmly stopped his vehicle in the middle of a road to shut its bonnet, which had come open following the smash. A short time later, he collided with the back of a Volkswagen Tiguan, leaving a woman and her children with minor injuries. Yates spent 11 days on the run before he was finally arrested and charged.

Speaking after sentencing, sergeant John Taylor, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “Yates’ decisions on that evening has left a family without two of their loved ones. I am glad his sentence reflects his poor actions.

“Dean and Lewis lost their lives and Yates has now lost his freedom for some considerable time. His children and family will also be affected because of his actions on that night.

“Throughout this investigation, Dean, Lewis and their family have remained at the heart of our inquiry, alongside ensuring Yates cannot cause any further harm to our communities.

“Following the collision, witnesses helped us to identify Yates and confirm his involvement, with extensive enquiries leading us to discover that he was travelling more than the 30mph limit and had been drinking prior. This helped us build a strong case against him and ensure he was brought before the courts.

“Our thoughts remain with Dean and Lewis’ family. As their heartache continues, they have shown immense strength in supporting us to bring Yates to justice."