John McGee was sentenced to eight years in prison today after knocking over an innocent man and killing him while fleeing police in Walton last year.
Richard Bratin was killed, along with his dog, after going out for a walk on Richard Kelly Drive and being struck by convicted drug dealer McGee, who was out on license from prison at the time.
McGee had been speeding in a 30mph zone when he was noticed by police and was trying to get away when Mr Bratin was killed.
He then fled justice for several days before handing himself in.
A lot of people have been asking why McGee got an eight year sentence, of which he is likely to serve just four years.
The reason is largely down to his plea.
He pleaded guilty at an early stage which entitles him to a reduction of one third so Judge Clement Goldstone QC clearly had a figure of around 12 years in mind.
The maximum sentence he could have given in law is 14 years.
The judge is likely to have considered the crime a level one offence, which has a starting point of eight years and a range of between seven and 14 years, because of the “prolonged, persistent and dangerous course of driving”.
He is also likely to have considered the fact that McGee had previous driving convictions an aggravating factor.
The judge seems to have anticipated the reaction to the sentence when he pointed out in court his sentencing options were limited by the law.
He told family members: “The loss of those who love him (Mr Bratin) is in many ways a life sentence – a sentence which is not open for this court to pass.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/