Plymouth man jailed for manslaughter
A man has been sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court today, Wednesday 13 September, for the manslaughter of David Kelly earlier this year.
Luke Dann, 37, of Beechwood Rise, appeared in the dock where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison by HHJ Judge Johnson.
Dann previously denied the charges of murder and manslaughter but was convicted by a jury following trial.
Emergency services were first called at around 8.45pm on 21 March 2023 to Leigham Manor Drive in Plymouth following reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian. David Kelly, a local 42-year-old man, was confirmed deceased at the scene.
Later that evening Luke Dann was arrested on suspicion of murder. In interview he gave a prepared statement in which he described that he had been driving home when he was attacked and said, ‘I was in fear for my safety’. He denied intentionally hitting anyone with his car and pleaded not guilty at court.
Detective Inspector Ilona Rosson, from the Major Crime Investigation Team said: “During the trial the court heard how David Kelly was in the area that evening when Dann was driving home and the two came into contact along Leigham Manor Drive. Following an altercation, Dann manoeuvred his car before driving from the scene and calling police to report an assault.
“Witnesses found David in the road and administered first aid before emergency services arrived. Forensic analysis of Luke Dann’s Range Rover and a forensic post-mortem indicated that the car had travelled over Mr Kelly during the manoeuvre, fatally injuring him.”
After hearing the evidence from Police, witnesses and forensic experts, the jury retired and returned a guilty verdict for the offence of manslaughter on 12 September. They found him not guilty of murder.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Johnson said: ‘I reject the suggestion that there was any element of self-defence in your actions’…’you deliberately drove towards him [David Kelly] using your car as a weapon’.
He said that Dann had ‘shamefully called 999’ after the incident ‘not for Mr Kelly but to prepare your defence', adding ‘I cannot believe you didn’t tell the operator you had driven over someone’.
He sentenced Dann to 15 years in prison and imposed a discretionary driving ban.
DI Rosson continued: “We welcome the verdict reached by the jury after hearing the evidence in the trial and deliberating on their decision.
“This has been a complex investigation and I thank and commend all those involved within the Police investigation team, those who provided evidence and expertise to the case and the prosecution team.
“I hope the outcome reached and sentence given will bring some closure to David’s family and friends.”
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