A man from Brighton has been told that he faces a long prison sentence for the hit and run death of a pedestrian during a police chase.
Gavin Dawes, 33, unemployed, of Phoenix Rise, Brighton, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to two counts of dangerous driving.
He killed 78-year-old Jonos Sasvari in Old Steine on the corner of St James’s Street, Brighton, on Tuesday 10 January, Hove Crown Court was told this afternoon (Friday 7 April).
Mr Sasvari, 78, who was known as John, or Hungarian John, and lived in Little Preston Street, Brighton, died at the scene.
Jonathan Davies, prosecuting, said that Dawes had been racing another car in Lewes Road, Coombe Road and Bear Road.
After he hit Mr Sasvari he dumped his Vauxhall Astra on the seafront in Madeira Drive.
Dawes is also due to be sentenced for an earlier offence of dangerous driving in Kemp Town. He was found guilty by Brighton magistrates in February after pleading not guilty.
His barrister Daniel Frier said that Dawes had mental health problems and was co-operating with the preparation of a psychiatric report.
Dawes will be sentenced on Friday 16 June.
A second man is expected to join Dawes in the dock in June.
Richard Woolgar, 35, of Donald Hall Road, Brighton, has been charged with dangerous driving in the Lewes Road area, and with having no insurance and no licence.
He has been bailed to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court next Thursday (13 April).
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating how the police chase unfolded, as is routine in fatal crashes involving police pursuits.
Dear Argus,
Thank you for never letting us know about his funeral’s details inc venue and exact date… I emailed you several time regarding this yet we never received any reply from you. Truly disappointed.