[A] man has been jailed after killing a man whilst driving whilst drunk and on drugs.
Shortly before 2.30am on Sunday 1 October 2017 police were called to Greenside Road at the junction of Manor Road in Droylsden to reports that a blue Audi S3 and a brown Vauxhall Zafira had collided.
Officers attended and found 28-year-old Christopher Ramsdale with serious injuries, he was taken to hospital where he sadly later died.
The driver, Michael Taylor ran away from the scene and was arrested later.
Today, Wednesday 20 December 2017, Michael Taylor (09/01/1991) of Heather Avenue in Droylsden, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He will also be disqualified from driving for six years. This sentence includes charges for an assault and criminal damage in March 2017 and the supply of cannabis.
PC Neil Pennington from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was an absolutely devastating case, where another innocent man was killed after someone got behind the wheel after drinking and taking drugs. My heart goes out to Christopher’s family. They have been strong and dignified in circumstances that are unimaginable.
“Today Michael Taylor has been jailed and will have to contemplate his actions for the next eight years.
“As Christmas and New Year approaches, I hope that anyone thinking of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs thinks about Christopher and his family and how their lives have been devastated by this reckless individual.
“Today’s sentence will never bring Christopher back but I hope Christopher’s family think that they have the justice they deserve.”
The family of Christopher Ramsdale have issued the below statement:
“In the early hours of Sunday 1 October 2017 we sadly lost Christopher following a road traffic incident instigated by the unforgivable and reckless act of Michael Taylor.
“Our lives will never be the same again. We as a family are devastated beyond belief with the loss of our Chris. The pain of never seeing him again is heart breaking.
“The sentence handed down today by the judge does not reflect the loss that our family will have to suffer for the rest of our lives.
“If anyone is thinking about getting behind the wheel after binging on drugs and alcohol, please think again. How would you feel if someone close to you was killed through the actions of another irresponsible driver? We don’t want any other family to have to deal with the loss and pain that we face every day.
“We strongly urge the Government to extend the maximum sentence for dangerous drivers who kill from 14 years to life imprisonment.
“The family would like to thank the first responders and hospital staff at MRI who helped Christopher on that fateful morning. In more recent times the investigating officer, the family liaison officer, the CPS barrister and Tameside Council.”
If you suspect anyone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, contact the police immediately on 101 or 999 if they pose an immediate threat to themselves or other road users. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Don’t drink and drive. Make it ‘None for the Road’
