A man who drove away after striking and killing an 89-year-old great-grandfather has been jailed for nine years and ten months. The court heard the driver fled to an address in Sheffield as part of attempts to avoid arrest.
What the court was told
The incident happened just after midday on 29 December on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham, Kent, when the victim — a retired dental surgeon — was hit by a grey Mercedes estate car travelling at an estimated 76.5mph. Witnesses reported seeing the pensioner thrown on to the roof of the vehicle, where he remained for around a mile as the car continued on.
“His deliberate and calculated attempts to evade capture and avoid facing the consequences of his actions are evidence of his poor substance of character”
The victim’s body was dislodged when the vehicle turned down a side lane and was discovered shortly afterwards by a local postman on Grange Road. The driver, Albert Matraxhiu, 29, from Edgware in north London, was later convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.
Steps taken after the collision
Prosecutors said Matraxhiu and a passenger removed the car’s number plates, disposed of clothing and mobile phones, and abandoned the vehicle at a rural location. The passenger, Erald Paci, 30, of Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and received a 15-month term; he was released at sentencing because of time spent on remand.
- Victim: retired dental surgeon, aged 89
- Defendant: Albert Matraxhiu, aged 29, sentenced to 9 years 10 months
- Passenger: Erald Paci, aged 30, jailed for 15 months for perverting the course of justice
The court record states Matraxhiu was driving without a licence or insurance. According to reports, Paci contacted police less than 12 hours after the crash following a media appeal and subsequently co-operated, showing officers the route taken and where number plates had been discarded.
Local impact and reminder
Although the collision took place in Kent, the case will have resonance here in Sheffield after Matraxhiu fled to an address in the city as part of his attempt to avoid capture. Cases of this kind highlight the long reach of police inquiries and the role of media appeals in prompting witnesses or associates to come forward.
| Offence | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Causing death by dangerous driving | 9 years 10 months |
| Perverting the course of justice (passenger) | 15 months |
Members of the public with information about incidents should continue to contact their local force or Crimestoppers. The sentences handed down in Maidstone serve as a reminder that attempts to conceal involvement in serious collisions can result in additional criminal charges and significant custodial terms.
