Tom Ferguson, 29, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of a 77-year-old in an incident on Buxton Road.

As well as a 12-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving, Mr Ferguson has also been banned from driving for 13 years.

On 9 November 2023, Ferguson was driving a BMW in a south-eastern direction on Buxton Road. The vehicle mounted the pavement on its nearside and collided with a pedestrian - 77-year-old Robert Palmer -near the junction of Fence Street.

After the collision, Ferguson drove off the pavement and away from the scene. He was brought to a stop by a member of the public who chased Ferguson down in his own vehicle, forcing him off the road and bringing him to a stop near a set of traffic lights.

When the vehicle was brought to a stop, and a member of the public confronted Ferguson about the collision with Mr Palmer, Ferguson is reported to have said: "Have I? Sorry mate, I didn't even know."

On Saturday 11 November 2023, Tom Ferguson was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified, causing death whilst uninsured and failing to stop at the scene of an accident (Image - GMP)

Mr Palmer was taken to hospital but sadly died of his injuries.

Investigation by the police established that Mr Ferguson had been two times over the drink driving limit. It also revealed that, beforehand, he had been staying at a nearby hotel and was asked to leave after numerous complaints of him being intoxicated.

As Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reports: "On the day of the collision, hotel staff entered his room to ensure he was preparing to leave and located Ferguson on the bed surrounded by nine empty litre bottles of Captain Morgan's rum."

Staff at the hotel tried to prevent Ferguson from driving, but he ignored them.

The police report adds: "He stumbled out to the car park where he got into his BMW and proceeded to reverse out of the parking bay and into an adjacent fence. A member of the public raised it with the hotel staff who then called police to make them aware."

Police said:

Detective Constable Liam Carolan from Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "Firstly, I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Robert Palmer. This is such a sad case of a husband accompanying his wife back from a hospital appointment.

"Robert's wife described him as a true gentleman that he would always make sure that he would position himself on the outside of the pathway to protect her from traffic. His deepest fears sadly became a reality when he was hit by Tom Ferguson's BMW.

"Ferguson's actions were ridiculously irresponsible, getting behind the wheel of a car after a couple of drinks can have devastating effects, let alone driving after consuming nine-and-a-half bottles of rum over a two-day period.

"The entire team involved in this investigation worked tirelessly to ensure that Ferguson was put behind bars and remained there.

"I am really pleased with the length of sentencing that was passed today, and I hope this provides some sort of closure for Robert's family and friends."

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