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Drug-using driver jailed for hit-and-run Blaenavon death
Published
image captionRhys Dobson died after helping friends get home safely
A driver who had been taking amphetamines before killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash has been jailed for three years.
Rhys Dobson, 19, died at the scene when a car driven by Derek Richards, 38, of Blaenavon, hit him in Varteg Road in the Torfaen town.
Richards admitted causing death by driving without due care and attention.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Dobson had walked some friends home after a night out because they had not felt safe.
He was returning home alone on 14 April 2019 when Richards drove into him and he died instantly.
He had been walking home because he was unable to book a taxi. Lorry driver Richards, 38, of Morgan Street, Blaenavon, had denied causing the death of Rhys Dobson by driving without due care and attention. He was convicted by a jury following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. Richards maintained he thought he had driven over a washing machine or fridge on the dark country road during the early hours of the morning. Ieuan Bennett, representing the defendant, said in mitigation his client had shown remorse for his actions and had suffered “flashbacks and nightmares”. His barrister added: “He has been assessed as presenting a low risk of reoffending “He has three young daughters and is a dutiful father.”
Dad wanted to die after learning of son s death at hands of hit-and-run driver
Derek Richards, 38, has been jailed for killing Rhys Dobson, 19, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being struck in Varteg Road in Blaenavon
Updated
Rhys Dobson, pictured with father Colin, was killed by hit-and-run driver Derek Richards (inset) (Image: Gwent Police)
A father has described feeling as if he wanted to die after learning his son had been killed by a hit and run driver.
Derek Richards, 38, killed teenager Rhys Dobson after hitting him with his Citroen C3 in Blaenavon at 3.20am on April 14, 2019.
The 19-year-old was walking home from a night along Varteg Road when he was struck by Richards vehicle and left for dead in the road as the defendant sped on.
Welsh medic dad s horror at losing son to hit and run driver
Derek Richards, 38, has been jailed for killing Rhys Dobson, 19, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury
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A bereaved father has told of his family s horror at losing their son to a hit and run driver.
Colin Dobson, a medic, also said colleagues suffered guilty feelings at not being able to save their workmate s son Rhys Dobson.