THE family of hit-and-run victim Adam Cunliffe expressed their heartbreak at his death in moving statements read out to Liverpool Crown Court.
Paul Whitfield, 54, of Hammond Street, in Parr, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for causing the death of 21-year-old Adam Cunliffe death by driving a Mazda dangerously.
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.
COURT REPORT > Killer hit and run drink driver 'oblivious' as he ran over victim lying in road
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".
Whitfield's car dragged Adam's body near to the Moss Bank pub, around a kilometre away.
Adam was an 'all-round amazing person'
Three heart-breaking victim impact statements were read to the court on behalf of Liam Conway, Mr Cunliffe's older brother, Amy Clayton, the victim's partner and mother of his son George, and his dad Alan Cunliffe.
In the first it was stated Adam’s older brother Liam Conway said how Adam “will always be part of us” and that after losing his brother he “fell into a spiral of depression”.
Liam added: “I stopped enjoying being around family and friends and I will lock myself in my room and spend hours thinking what I could do to bring him back”.
He said Adam “was not only my brother but my best friend. I miss him to this day.”
He added losing Adam has “turned our family and our world upside down” and said he was “an all-round amazing person” My brother will be forever loved and missed”.
Meanwhile, Amy Clayton, the victim’s partner’s statement said: “I’m literally scared to leave the house on my own”
She said how their son will have “no memory of his dad” and that when she has to tell him why his dad is in heaven “I have no idea how I am going to navigate that. I have no idea how it is going to affect him and his life, and that terrified me. I shouldn’t have to explain to my son the death of his father”.
She added: "When it happened I was so lost. I still am and if I didn't have my son I don't know if I would have the strength to keep going."
The court also heard from Adam’s dad Alan Cunliffe how his son had a job at the University of Manchester “where he appeared to excel and was destined to go on to some great things”.
Alan said how his son enjoyed trips to the Lake District and holidays to Portugal.
Stating that Adam’s mum had died aged 43, 18 months after the tragedy that killer son, he said “I firmly believe that her early death was a result of you killing Adam”.
Mr Cunliffe added: "When people see me they see me putting on a brave face. I'm determined to not be a victim. But these are empty words and the lies mask the true reality."
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.
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