Driver told to expect lengthy prison sentence over death of ‘Good Samaritan’

Steven Black was told he will be jailed when he is sentenced next month after pleading guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to causing the death by dangerous driving of 33-year-old father-of-three Michael Ritson.

Black had been in collision with a motorbike and was driving away from the scene while speaking to the emergency services on the phone when sound engineer Mr Ritson, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, was thrown into the windscreen, on to the roof, then into the road.

Judge John Milford, discussing Black’s basis of plea, said: “The defendant stopped his vehicle aware that he had been involved in a collision and had rung the emergency services, and then decided to leave the scene. For whatever reason, he drove the vehicle forward at a time he was aware that the late Mr Ritson intended to stop him from doing so.

“He accelerates towards the deceased, who to avoid being run down, it would seem, jumped on to the bonnet.

“The speed of the vehicle was sufficient to cause the windscreen to break as it impacted the deceased.

“The defendant continued to drive forward with the deceased on the roof of the car until he was thrown from it, suffering fatal injuries.

“Only then did the defendant stop his vehicle.”

The horrific collision happened on the Felling by-pass, Gateshead, in March last year.

Black, 27, of The Riding, Kenton, Newcastle, was originally charged with manslaughter and his trial had been due to start yesterday.

A recording of the collision was made from Black’s 999 call which was going on when Mr Ritson was hit.

The defence estimated the incident lasted four seconds.

Jamie Hill QC, defending, said Black believed he could get his car past Mr Ritson, who was standing in front of him.

It was said he was “fearful” at the time, and was merely moving his car when he hit Mr Ritson.

He added: “He was intending to move his car from the immediate vicinity of Mr Ritson but not completely away from the scene.”

Judge Milford refused bail and adjourned sentence until February 2. He told Black: “As you know, a significant sentence of imprisonment is going to be passed.”