A young motorist who killed a pedestrian in a high-speed collision just months after passing his driving test has been sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison.
A Deadly Decision on a Rainy Evening
Damien Walsh, 23, from Westhoughton, near Bolton, lost control of his powerful Jaguar XE R-Sport while overtaking a learner driver near a blind bend. The crash occurred during the evening rush hour on 28 October last year. Data from the vehicle showed Walsh was travelling at 73mph just five seconds before the impact, in an area with a speed limit of between 20 and 30mph.
The court heard that Walsh, a mechanic, had purchased the high-performance car, capable of 0 to 60mph in 6.7 seconds, but could not afford to insure it. He had only passed his driving test in December 2023, ten months prior to the fatal incident.
A Life Cut Short and a Partner's Agony
The victim, 44-year-old civil engineer George Pirtheesingh, was on a short walk to buy groceries after returning from a holiday in Florence with his partner, police officer Caroline Smith. He suffered multiple fatal injuries and died at the scene.
In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement read at Bolton Crown Court, Ms Smith described Mr Pirtheesingh as her "soulmate" and "best friend". "My world stopped at that moment and my life split into two pieces. Part of me died with him," she said. Ms Smith revealed she had to take a year off work, has left frontline policing for an administrative role, and is on medication for anxiety and PTSD.
"We were due to go on a trip of a lifetime to Malaysia. We had just started house hunting," she added. "No sentence can bring George back to us. Whatever happens today, my sentence is for life."
Aggressive Driving and Avoidable Tragedy
Prosecutor Justin Hayhoe described how Walsh was seen driving aggressively in wet weather, ignoring traffic calming measures and a 'Slow' sign painted on the road. He overtook a learner driver at an estimated 60mph, with the Jaguar "revving loudly".
A witness described the speed as "ridiculous" before Walsh lost control, collided with a wall, and then struck Mr Pirtheesingh. Judge Nicholas Clarke KC stated that the loss of control was "unavoidable" due to the aggressive acceleration and Walsh's inexperience. "George was tragically killed because you chose to drive dangerously," the judge told Walsh.
Walsh, who remained silent in police interview, later admitted causing death by dangerous driving. His defence counsel, David James, said Walsh was "genuinely remorseful" and that his insurance had lapsed during a period of unemployment.
Walsh was also banned from driving for five years, to commence upon his release from prison. The court was told that Mr Pirtheesingh's employer now presents an award in his name to high-achieving staff.
