Cowardly hit and run driver who killed grandmother he knocked down while she crossed a road before returning to the scene while pretending to be a bystander is jailed for 20 months

• Jack Knowles, 34, ploughed into Katherine West, 59 on November 5, 2021
• Knowles then arranged to have his vehicle repaired and booked a holiday

A cowardly hit and run driver who killed a helpless grandmother before fleeing the scene and returning as a bystander has been jailed.

Jack Knowles, 34, ploughed into Katherine West, 59, at just after 9.40pm on November 5, 2021, as she was crossing the road on Ladies Lane in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Knowles then fled the scene without checking on or helping the woman, but later returned, pretending to be a bystander. 

Bolton Crown Court heard Ms West had reached the hatched markings in the centre of the carriageway and one car had slowed down so she could cross.

But then Knowles entered the road from a nearby roundabout and careered into her.

He briefly stopped and left the scene without checking on the grandmother but then came back and pretended to be a bystander, police said.

Jack Knowles, 34, has been jailed after killing a helpless grandmother with his car before fleeing the scene and returning as a bystander

Katherine West, 59, was struck at just after 9.40pm on November 5, 2021, as she was crossing the road on Ladies Lane in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

In the days following the collision, Knowles then arranged to have his vehicle repaired – in a bid to hide any evidence that he’d been involved – and booked a holiday.

Ms West’s condition continued to deteriorate and she died in hospital on December 16, 2021.

Knowles, of Hindley, Wigan, previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and committing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

He was jailed for 20 months and banned from driving for 70 months.

Following sentencing, Ms West’s family described her as a ‘wonderful wife, mother, nana and friend’.

In a statement released by police, they said: ‘It has taken over two years, but finally our family have received justice.

‘The driver failed to stop and went to great lengths to cover up what he had done. We as a family will never forgive him for his actions then and the actions since.

‘Kath was a wonderful caring, compassionate and lovable human being, she always looked for the good in everyone.

‘She loved to see people happy and enjoying themselves, she was loved and respected by everyone she touched, and we miss her dearly.’

PC Philip Drummond described Knowles’ driving as ‘careless’ and said he put Katherine’s family through ‘two years of unnecessary anguish.’

He said: ‘After the crash, despite knowing he had hit a pedestrian and with no consideration for their condition, Knowles chose to drive away – yet returned on foot, posing as a bystander rather than identifying himself as the driver.

‘While others went to Katherine’s aid, he did nothing to help her – his only thought was to destroy evidence connecting him to the offences, by arranging for his vehicle to be repaired – he then went on holiday.

‘Knowles’ driving that day was careless. However, his actions after were deplorable. Rather than admitting his involvement, he put his victim’s family through two years of unnecessary anguish.

‘He has finally been brought to justice and while it will never make up for their loss, I hope that it brings Katherine’s family some level of closure.

‘I hope this serves as a reminder to those who continue to endanger the public – we will continue to bring you to justice.’

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