[A] FOOTBALL agent jailed for killing one highways officer on the M6 and leaving another permanently paralysed has had part of his sentence tweaked by a judge.
Peter Morrison was locked up last month for dangerous driving in Cumbria during a journey from Glasgow to Manchester.
While behind the wheel during that trip, 37-year-old Morrison sent 44 text and WhatsApp messages before tragedy struck at Tebay on February 21 in 2016. Immediately before his Mercedes crashed into the two workers, who were stood on the hard shoulder, he had exchanged 25 messages over a 23-mile stretch in which he also averaged 81mph in “atrocious” weather.
Adam Gibb, a 51-year-old married dad from Penrith, was killed instantly while his colleague, Paul Holroyd, of Kirkby Stephen, suffered catastrophic life-changing injuries.
Morrison, of Worsley, Manchester, was jailed for seven years by Mr Justice William Davis in January following his conviction for causing both death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Morrison was told he would serve half that period in custody before being released on licence, and handed an eight-year driving disqualification.
His ban was due to have started on the day of sentence.
But Mr Justice Davis amended the terms of the driving ban during a short hearing at Liverpool Crown Court today (WED). The judge imposed an extension period of three years and six months under a “slip rule” which allows sentences to be altered or reconsidered.
The ruling means Morrison will begin to serve the eight-year driving ban only upon his release from prison after serving half of the seven-year term.
He must also pass an extended re-test.
