'Reckless' drink driver jailed for killing pedestrian

A judge said Gary Cornwall carried out an "inherently dangerous manoeuvre"

Gary Cornwall lost control of his car
Author: Jason BeckPublished 27th Jun 2023

A drink driver who killed a pedestrian when he lost control of his car in St Leonards has been jailed.

Gary Cornwall, 57, accelerated out of the junction of Gillsmans Hill onto The Green and mounted a kerb on 16 June 2022.

His BMW hit pedestrian David Evans, 72, from Hastings, who was walking on the pavement.

Witnesses described the manoeuvre by Cornwall as "reckless" and "out of control".

At Lewes Crown Court he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

The court also heard how Cornwall, of Woodland Vale Road, St Leonards, was over the legal alcohol limit at the time.

Witnesses heard the tyres of the BMW screeching as Cornwall left the junction and appeared to be drifting in the road.

Cornwall denied intentionally drifting but admitted to intentionally accelerating harshly out of the junction.

Cornwall said he had consumed homemade wine the night before and had not realised he was over the alcohol limit.

There were serious vehicle defects which meant the vehicle was considered to be in a dangerous condition.

The court was told how Cornwall also had a previous conviction for drug driving in 2015.

His Honour Judge Jeremy Gold KC said Cornwall had carried out an "inherently dangerous manoeuvre".

Cornwall was jailed for four years and eight months, and was disqualified from driving for six years and fours months.

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