Man jailed for fatal hit-and-run

The court was told Mann did not contact police for 12 hours

A hit and run driver who said he left the scene of a fatal accident because he suffered a severe asthma attack has been jailed for eight weeks.

The body of 41-year-old Peter Tisdall from Plymouth was found on the A38 in St Budeaux on 13 April.

Unemployed Shaun Mann, 48, from Saltash, told Plymouth Magistrates' Court he sped home to get his inhaler.

The former Royal Navy sailor admitted failing to stop at the scene of an accident at a hearing in August.

An inquest into Mr Tisdall's death was told he had been "shadowboxing or dancing in the road" after consuming drink and drugs.

Clean licence

Mann had been on his way to see his girlfriend when his car hit Mr Tisdall at about midnight.

The court heard he was suffering from "extreme shock" but did not contact police until 12 hours after the night time collision with the pedestrian.

Mann had no previous convictions and had held a clean driving licence for 20 years, magistrates were told.

His lawyer, Nigel Lyons, said there was "no alternative or sinister reason" why Mann did not go to the police earlier, but this was rejected by the district judge.

Mr Lyons said Mann had been distressed and sat at home afterwards in a "severe state of shock".

Accidental death

Mann had been the victim of a hit and run himself when he was 29 when he was cycling and had limited use of his left arm as a result, Mr Lyons said.

But District Judge Paul Farmer said he did not believe Mann's explanation.

"My problem is why this defendant didn't stop and see if help was required," he said.

"He then takes 12 hours or more before he goes into the police station and says he is responsible for the accident."

At Mr Tisdall's inquest, Mann said he had pulled over on to the hard shoulder before having "the worst asthma attack I've ever had".

He realised he had left his inhalers at home and left the scene to drive the two miles to his home to get them.

He said despite swerving as hard as he could, his car "clipped" Mr Tisdall when he "staggered out" on to the road.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.