Lorry driver jailed for life for murder

LORRY driver Mark Slater, 47, who deliberately ran down a motorist at Warrington, was today jailed for life for murder.
Slater, who was found guilty yesterday after a trial last six days, was told he would serve a minimum of 15 years.
He had denied the offence, but during sentencing, he judge commended that he believed Slater intended to kill Trevor Allen.
Following the sentencing Detective Inspector Peter Case, from Cheshire Police’s major investigation team, said: “The sentence handed down highlights the serious nature of this case and I hope that the time in prison will allow Slater to reflect upon his actions that day behind the wheel of his lorry.”
Mr Allen, aged 57, died on the morning of Saturday February 15.
Slater (right), who was driving a 17-tonne lorry, and Mr Allen (left, below), who was heading to work driving a red Citroen Berlingo van, were both travelling along the A57 Manchester Road at Warrington.
The pair, who were unknown to each other, came to a stop on the single carriageway road – after being involved in a driving related dispute in the minutes leading up to them coming to a halt.
Both men got out of their vehicles and, at some point, Mr Allen, who lived in Oldham, came to be standing in front of the lorry – he was wearing a high-visibility jacket at the time and witnesses reported that he was “waving” his arms in the air.
Witnesses then reported seeing the lorry strike Mr Allen in the carriageway and he was then dragged under the wheels of the vehicle – causing multiple and catastrophic injuries. He died instantly at the scene. Members of the public alerted the emergency services, who arrived soon after.
Slater was arrested at the scene. When interviewed, he admitted that the pair had been involved in a driving dispute but denied that he had deliberately run over the victim – maintaining that he could not see him and that, therefore, this was an accident.
An investigation was launched by police which involved a painstaking examination of the scene, tracing and speaking to a number of people who were at the scene – including three eye witnesses – forensic enquiries and a detailed examination of the lorry.
Integral to the case was the work of one of Cheshire Police’s collision investigators PC Kevin Sweeney who provided expert evidence to the court in relation to the movement of Slater’s lorry during the incident through detailed examination of the tacograph.
DI Case added: “This is a unique case as it is the first time that Cheshire Police – in conjunction with the CPS – have prosecuted a driver for murder in ‘road rage’ circumstances such as this. What happened that day was truly shocking and all those involved have been deeply affected – especially those who were at the scene and watched events unfold.
“The injuries sustained by Mr Allen were horrific – whatever had happened between the pair leading up to this incident, nothing justified Slater behaving in the way that he did that day. A vehicle of such a size is a powerful weapon – his actions behind the wheel of the lorry have left a family deeply distraught and struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
“I would like to pay tribute to Mr Allen’s family – they have been in court every day following the case and have had to sit through some very upsetting evidence. They have remained dignified throughout what has been a very difficult process and I hope that the successful conclusion today will give them some comfort and help them to move forward with their lives.
“I would like to acknowledge the three key witnesses who had to re-live what happened during the trial – I know it would not have been an easy task but their evidence was important to the case.”
Claire Lindley, chief Crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Our case was that Mark Slater clearly saw Trevor Allen standing in front of his lorry before driving over him and killing him in a fit of rage. Today, a jury agreed and found him guilty of murder.
“This wanton, fleeting act of violence cruelly and tragically ended Trevor Allen’s life. Mark Slater’s claims that it was accidental and that he didn’t see Mr Allen, wearing a high-visibility vest and standing in front of his lorry, were clearly contradicted by the evidence – and the jury agreed.”
Sarah Allen, the victim’s daughter, said: “After a very distressing and emotional trial justice has finally been done for my dad.
“I am very pleased that such a dangerous man has been convicted and is no longer a danger to other people.
“I wouldn’t wish this to happen to another family because it’s destroyed ours more than anyone could ever imagine.
“This has been the hardest five months of our lives and maybe now justice has been done we can finally start to try and move on with our lives and grieve.
“It’s so unfair that Mark Slater has taken my dad from us in such a brutal way. Me, my daughter and the rest of the family will have to carry on without such a wonderful, happy and caring man in our lives.
Not only has he taken away someone’s son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend to many he has also taken away a little girl’s granddad who she idolised and also my best friend. Our lives will never be the same again – we will all miss him desperately.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends and family, the police – Steve Beddows, Pete Case, Kevin, Sweeney, especially Jim Earlam and Ruth Janes – for all their help and support throughout all of this. I would also like to thank Mr Ian Unsworth for the superb job he has done in representing us and bringing Mark Slater to justice.
“We take comfort from the fact that Mark Slater has been found guilty and we now ask that we be left alone to grieve for our loss.”