Bolton: Driver's 'race' killed pedestrian in Great Lever

Adam Ross, 30, was racing against the then 23-year-old Daniel Salvin across Great Lever when 59-year-old John Richardson was killed crossing Rishton Lane more than four years ago.

Bolton Crown Court heard how since then Ross had tried to escape the consequences when the case was brought to trial by pinning the blame on a now dead friend of his, who was in the car with him.

Judge Nicholas Clarke KC said: “You told obvious lies to the jury about swapping seats with your friend who has since died.”

The court had heard previously from prosecutor Harriet Tighe how the race between Ross and Salvin broke out on September 20, 2019.

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Returning to court this week, the prosecution was represented by Ciaran Rankin.

Salvin, of Eustace Street, Great Lever, had initiated the race and had been driving the Vauxhall Vetra that hit Mr Richardson as he crossed the road.

Mr Richardson was badly injured and taken to hospital where he tragically died after holding on for around a week.

Salvin then set his car alight and fled to Larne, Northern Ireland, in a bid to escape the consequences.

But he was eventually tracked down, has since been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for seven years and four months.

Adam Ross has now been jailed (Image: GMP)

But Judge Clarke told Ross, who looked on via video link from prison dressed all in black, that he held him equally responsible for the tragedy inflicted on Mr Richardson and his loved ones.

Judge Clarke said: “He was left dying on the pavement by both you and Salvin, who left him to die.”

He added: “It is clear that it was only a matter of chance which of you, racing along the highway, would hit an innocent person.”

Ross had been driving a VW Golf and had apparently never met Salvin before he decided to “take up the challenge” of racing him.

Daniel Salvin was jailed in 2019 (Image: GMP)

Judge Clarke also pointed out that Ross was both older than Salvin had a more serious criminal record with 26 previous convictions for 33 offences.

He had also gone on to commit yet another dangerous driving offence around nine months after the death of Mr Richardson in June 2020, for which he was jailed for eight months.

The judge also pointed to Ross’s behaviour after Mr Richardson’s death and how he had “prolonged” the proceedings by denying his crimes.

Judge Clarke said: “You clearly don’t think that the rules of the road apply to you.”

He added that Ross’s “obvious lies to the jury” demonstrated a “total lack of remorse.”

The court heard previously from Ben Berkson, defending how Ross had since expressed apologies to Mr Richardson’s family for prolonging the case in this way.

He also said that he had since tried to move on from his criminal lifestyle and associates.

But Judge Clarke told the court that the fact Ross had failed to stop and that he had never held a full driving licence made his situation all the more serious.

He sentenced Ross to a total of 11 years in prison and banned him from the roads for seven years.

Police Sergeant Andrew Page of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This is the conclusion of a four year investigation and I hope this sentence can provide some more closure to the family of John.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank John’s family for their patience and dignity throughout this investigation.

“Ross, has shown no remorse at any point since the fateful collision and today he has seen the consequences of his actions.

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“He failed to stop at the scene and continued to evade police for several months after engaging in dangerous driving with Salvin and has denied his involvement in the collision ever since.

“Blatantly lying when someone sadly lost their life when they should have been safe.

“He even resorted to blaming his best friend, who sadly passed away since the collision, in a distasteful attempt to distance himself from his actions that night.”

“The result is extremely poignant in terms of its timing due to Road Safety Week, which gives us an opportunity to remind all road users to abide by the law and think of the severe consequences selfish actions can have on innocent members of the public.

“I hope this case highlights the hard work our officers will go to in order to bring offenders to justice who use the road network in Greater Manchester illegally.”