Drunk hit-and-run driver jailed for killing Adam Cunliffe in St Helens

Paul Whitfield, 54, of Hammond Street, in Parr, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court today to be sentenced.

He had pleaded guilty in a previous hearing to causing 21-year-old Adam Cunliffe's death by driving a Mazda 3 dangerously.

READ MORE > Full court report as drunk driver jailed for causing death of Adam Cunliffe

The court heard that Whitefield, who was driving home after having been out drinking in St Helens town centre on January 11, 2022, was around two and a half times in excess of the legal limit.

He was "oblivious" as his car drove over his victim who was lying in the carriageway of Washway Lane at around 12.30am on January 12, and failed to notice "frantic" efforts by other motorists to alert Whitfield to the "unfolding horror".

Adam Cunliffe died in the tragic incident (Image: Merseyside Police)

Whitfield's car dragged Adam's body near to the Moss Bank pub, around a kilometre away.

Sentencing Whitfield, judge Andrew Menary KC said that Whitfield's failure to realise he had hit Adam "demonstrated how badly affected drink you were."

Whitfield was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, two-thirds of which he must serve in custody.

He was also disqualified from driving for five years, in addition to his time in custody.

The police scene at the time of the incident (Image: St Helens Star)
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, Lead Investigating Officer from Merseyside Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Our thoughts remain very much with Adam’s family and his close friends. The events of that night have changed their lives forever.

“Whitfield made a deliberate decision to drive his vehicle that night when he knew that he was highly intoxicated through drink.  Having collided with Adam and despite warnings from other road users, Whitfield did not stop as one would expect, but instead continued to drive and he was arrested a short time later.

“I would like to thank members of the public who helped at the scene that evening. Through the tragedy, we saw the very best of human nature and for that we are grateful. 

Flowers left in tribute to Adam at the time of the crash (Image: St Helens Star)
Detective Sergeant Timpson added: “Road death is sudden and traumatic and causes unimaginable harm to people who become involved, including members of the public who see the aftermath of such awful circumstances.

“Merseyside Police will not tolerate people who drive whilst over the limit for drink or drugs.  We see too often the needless harm that this crime causes to our communities and work tirelessly to detect those responsible. 

"We are committed to the prevention of serious injury and death on the roads, to work towards Vision Zero – our strategy focused on reducing the amount of road traffic collisions in our region and to lower the number of people killed and seriously injured on our streets. We cannot do this alone and to that end, any information you have about drivers who flout the law can be reported to us and we will take action.

“As Whitfield begins his sentence today, Adam’s family have to try and rebuild their own lives caused by his selfish behaviour.  I thank them for their patience and the dignified way they responded throughout this investigation.

“The sentence issued at Liverpool Crown Court today by The Recorder of Liverpool shows that the courts will deal robustly with offenders and acts as a stark message to anyone whose selfish and reckless actions end in such tragedy.”