A driver who spent seven hours in a pub before getting behind the wheel was so drunk he didn’t realise he had run someone over. Adam Cunliffe, a 21-year-old animal technician at the University of Manchester, was hit by Paul Whitfield.
The 54-year-old motorist had been drinking all day before deciding to drive home to St Helens. A court heard how Mr Cunliffe’s body was dragged for a mile along the road by Whitfield’s car – as shocked bystanders looked on.
Whitfield only realised what had happened when police knocked on his door, the Liverpool Echo reports. Liverpool Crown Court heard today (August 6) that Whitfield failed to slow down before hitting Mr Cunliffe.
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Opening sentencing this morning, Michael Pickavance, prosecuting, told the court: “At approximately 12.33pm on 12 January 2022, a collision occurred between the defendant’s blue Mazda and Adam Cunliffe on Washway Lane in St Helens. Earlier that afternoon, the defendant was caught on CCTV driving his car into the city centre.
“He parked before visiting a number of licensed premises before ending up at Penny’s bar on Duke Street. At 12.14pm he returned to his car and drove away via a number of side roads. As he got into his car, Adam Cunliffe was at the Texaco garage. An eyewitness, Matthew Rivers, recalled that Mr Cunliffe struggled to get his words out. He was seen walking away along the road.”
Mr Pickavance told the court that shortly after Mr Cunliffe left the garage, an eyewitness – a driver in the opposite lane – remembered seeing an object lying in the road. As they approached, they saw it was a person. Despite warnings from other motorists flashing their lights and shouting out of their windows, the defendant ‘did not slow down or brake and ran over Mr Cunliffe’.
The prosecutor said Neil Ruddock, who was driving behind Whitfield, saw ‘debris, then a pair of trainers, then a pair of legs and finally the body of Mr Cunliffe’. The incident happened near the Moss Bank pub and there were a number of people waiting for a taxi home who saw the horrific incident. Mr Cunliffe was pronounced dead at the scene.
The court heard that an unmarked police car happened to be in the area at the time and managed to record the defendant’s registration number. The defendant was arrested at his home shortly after 4am and blew 49mg in 100ml of breath – well above the legal limit. However, Mr Pickavance said analysis showed the defendant had about 86mg in 100ml of breath at the time of the crash.
After his death, Mr Cunliffe was described by his family as a ‘super-intelligent, kind, polite, caring young man who was one in a million’. The court this morning heard three victim impact statements from Liam Conway, Mr Cunliffe’s brother, Amy Clayton, the victim’s partner and mother of his son, and his father Alan Cunliffe.
Mr Conway’s statement said: “Adam was my best friend, I miss him dearly. The day we lost him was one of the worst days of my life. It was also the day my mother broke down and there was no way back… Our mother passed away at the age of 43 in April 2023. After that, all three of my younger brothers were separated and went to live with their fathers. That has had a huge impact on my brothers. There is a hole that will never be filled.”
Mr Cunliffe’s partner, Mrs Clayton, said she would never forget the knock on the door the morning after his death. She said: “I am filled with so much anger. My son will never grow up knowing his father. He will only have pictures and memories. One day my sweet, innocent, funny little boy will ask questions about his father and I don’t know how I will answer.” She added: “When it happened I was so lost. I still am and if I hadn’t had my son I don’t know if I would have the strength to carry on.”
Mr Cunliffe’s father said: “I lived for Adam’s existence – he was my only child. My ray of sunshine.” Alan Cunliffe said he and his son shared an interest in table tennis and pool, and enjoyed trips to the Lake District and holidays in Portugal. He added: “When people see me, they see me putting on a brave face. I am determined not to be a victim. But these are empty words and the lies hide the true reality.”
Whitfield, of Hammond Street in St Helens, pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving at a plea and trial preparation hearing last month. In mitigation, Steven Swift, defending, said his client had pleaded guilty as quickly as possible. He also said there had been a 30-month delay in the case coming to court due to a well-documented backlog and asked for that to be reflected in the sentencing.
Mr Swift said his client had no previous convictions for dangerous or reckless driving, but did have offences dating back to 1999 for driving while disqualified, which resulted in a 12-month prison sentence. He added that his client, who had previously worked as a security guard before the incident, had four children, although he was not in direct care of them.
The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Andrew Menary KC, said Mr Cunliffe had only been on the road for a few moments when the defendant struck him. The judge said the area, which is a main road, was well lit with working street lights.
Addressing Whitfield, who appeared in the dock wearing glasses, a striped jumper and short grey hair, Judge Menary said: “Such was your compromised capacity, you failed to see drivers flashing their lights at you. Simply and appallingly, you ran over Adam. I don’t think you knew it was a person, but the fact that you continued driving unconsciously shows how under the influence of drink you were.”
Addressing Mr Cunliffe’s family, Judge Menary said: “The loss of Adam will have an irreparable impact on all your lives. The sentence I impose will not match your loss and suffering. The reality is that there is nothing this court can do to alleviate your suffering.”
Whitfield was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison after the judge gave him one-third credit for his guilty plea. He will also be disqualified from driving for five years after his release from prison.
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, lead investigator for Merseyside Police’s Serious Accident Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Adam’s family and close friends. The events of that night have changed their lives forever.
“Whitfield made a deliberate decision to drive his vehicle that evening when he knew he was heavily under the influence of drink. After colliding with Adam and despite warnings from other road users, Whitfield did not stop as you might expect but continued driving and was arrested a short time later.
“I would like to thank the people who helped on the scene that night. Through the tragedy we have seen the best of human nature and for that we are grateful.”