Death crash family in justice fight

James Mulligan was hit by the car as he waited at a bus stop

The family of a man unlawfully killed in a hit-and-run accident on Tyneside have called for two men in the car at the time to be "brought to justice".

Jimmy Mulligan, 73, was killed when he was hit by a car while waiting at a bus stop in Gateshead in May 2002.

No-one has been prosecuted over his death, because neither Christopher Eade nor Robert Webber, who were in the car that hit him, would admit to being the driver.

A coroner ruled Mr Mulligan had been unlawfully killed.

Now Mr Mulligan's family and a Tyneside MP have urged the authorities to bring the case to court.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Northumbria Police say they will prosecute the case if new evidence comes to light.

But Mr Mulligan's son Keith, said Christopher Eade and Robert Webber should have been charged at the time of his father's death.

'Right decision'

The pair, who were aged 18 and 20 at the time, were condemned by Gateshead and South Tyneside coroner Terence Carney for their part in a "wall of lies" during the three-day inquest.

Keith Mulligan said: "The verdict of the inquest was what we wanted. It was the right decision.

"But we still want justice for our father, who brought us up to respect the law."

Joyce Quin, Labour MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, said she wanted the case to be heard by a jury.

She said: "I would hope that this case goes to trial soon so that a jury can decide who was responsible for Mr Mulligan's death."

Northumbria Police chief constable Chrispian Strachan, defended the force's decision not to prosecute the two men in the car - despite their admission that they had both taken a drugs.

Mr Strachan said it was impossible to prosecute the pair while they both blamed the other for being at the wheel.

Contemptible behaviour

During the inquest in South Shields, the coroner reprimanded Mr Eade and Mr Webber, saying they had shown a complete lack of regard for Mr Mulligan throughout the hearing.

Mr Carney described their behaviour as "contemptible".

A joint statement from Northumbria Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "A full and thorough investigation was carried out into Mr Mulligan's death.

"After careful consideration of all the evidence, the CPS advised that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

"The reasons for this were explained to Mr Mulligan's family and solicitor at a private meeting involving the CPS and the police.

"If new evidence comes to light it will be acted on.

"We continue to extend our deepest sympathy to Mr Mulligan's family and will keep them informed of any developments."