Three jailed over fatal car crash

Mr Taylor suffered major internal injuries in the crash

Three people who fled the scene of a crash that killed a motorcyclist have been jailed.

Driver Shaun Unsworth, 20, of Aniline Street, Chorley, Lancashire, was sentenced to seven years in prison by the judge at Liverpool Crown Court.

Passengers David Hirst, of Hilton Avenue, Horwich, and a 17-year-old girl were each jailed for four months.

Motorcyclist Philip Taylor died after he was hit by the trio's stolen Rover Metro in Wigan on 26 February, 2004.

Unsworth admitted causing death by dangerous driving at a hearing on Monday.

Hirst and the teenager, from Skelmersdale, both admitted the aggravated taking of the Rover Metro, during an earlier court appearance in June.

The trio were arrested at the end of February after Mr Taylor, of Alt Close, Leigh, died as a result of the crash.

Unsworth and Hirst were in a stolen car when the crash happened

Mr Taylor suffered fatal injuries when he was hit by the Metro at the junction of Beechill and Woodhouse lanes.

He died soon after arriving at Wigan Royal Infirmary, after sustaining extensive internal injuries.

Det Con Tony McFadden said the three defendants showed "no remorse for their actions" and the sentences they received reflected the seriousness of the offences.

They stole the Metro from the Chorley area at 2300 GMT on 25 February, before being seen driving at speed in the Wigan area.

Family devastated

"All three were well aware that the car they were driving was stolen and knew that they had collided with Philip and just left him dying in the road in an attempt to evade any repercussions," said Det Con McFadden.

Mr Taylor's family paid tribute to their son, saying they had been left devastated by his death.

"The term of the sentence would never be enough for us, however, we must accept what the court have handed out," they said in a statement.