Son's tribute as '˜grotesque' killer driver gets ten years
The family of a respected Leeds academic who was run down by a drug dealer have paid tribute to a 'cherished and inspirational' father after his killer was jailed for ten years.
Dr Andrew Platten was cycling in Bingley when he was hit by an out-of-control Vauxhall Vectra driven at 70mph by Akash Rashid, who was fleeing police after being spotted selling cannabis to sixth form students.
Rashid, 22, tried to run off after the crash but was arrested.
He was jailed for ten years by a judge, who described his driving as ‘grotesque’.
At Bradford Crown Court, the son of Dr Platten, a Leeds Beckett University academic, described in his victim impact statement how he would give anything to spend even five seconds with the father he looked up as a hero and a mentor. The case is only the second in the last decade where a motorist in Yorkshire has been been jailed for more than 10 years for causing death by dangerous driving.
In a statement, Dr Platten’s family said he was a “respected and dedicated academic, with a love for art, poetry and music”. They added: “Most importantly he was a loved friend, loyal brother and uncle, loving partner and a truly inspirational father. He will always be cherished and never forgotten - living on in all our hearts.”