Bolton: Man pleads guilty to helping killer driver flee

Benjamin Wallace had been accused of helping Daniel Salvin try to escape justice after the-then 23-year-old Salvin ran over and killed a 59-year-old pedestrian on a Bolton road in 2019, while racing another driver.

Wallace, from Larne, Northern Ireland, had initially pleaded not guilty to charges that he had purchased ferry tickets for Salvin as he attempted to flee the country when the case was heard at Bolton Magistrates Court in 2020. But by the time the case came before Bolton Crown Court yesterday he had changed his plea to guilty.

Judge Tom Gilbart said: “You have pleaded guilty to a matter which you know is taken seriously by this court.”

He added: “All options are open to this court and as I say, the court takes these matters seriously and custody may be considered.”

Daniel Salvin was jailed for seven years and four months after he ran over pedestrian John Richardson, as he crossed Rishton Lane on September 20, 2019.

Mr Richardson died a week later from his injuries.

Police found Salvin’s Vauxhall Vectra on fire a short distance away and he fled to Northern Ireland.

He was eventually arrested and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Now with the case against those who allegedly helped Salvin having come to the crown court, Wallace appeared in the dock alongside Christine Lee, of Johnson Fold, who had also been accused of assisting Salvin’s escape by providing him with a car.

She had also pleaded not guilty before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court last year.

However on reaching the crown court counsel for the prosecution, Alison Mather, said that the Crown had decided to take a “pragmatic” approach.

As such, Ms Mather said the prosecution would not be pursuing charges against Christine Lee.

She was found not guilty, but will still be required to appear before magistrates again on a lesser related matter.

Wallace is now scheduled to appear before the court for sentencing on October 8.