A court heard a driver hit a mother while he was exceeding twice the legal speed limit, then stop to cover his tracks instead of helping her.
Connor Faulkner, 27, was sentenced to seven years in prison with an additional three years with an extended license after admitting a number of charges, including the death of Joanne Whyte from dangerous driving.
Manchester Evening News reports that Faulkner had no driver’s license, no insurance, and was locked off the road when he got behind the wheel of his grandfather’s vehicle without his knowledge, Minshull Street Crown Court heard today.
Faulkner from Hyde in Manchester also had a shocking record of driving violations, including not stopping twice for police and taking them on a car chase.
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At around 1 a.m. on July 12, Faulkner drove out of a gas station and reached speeds of up to 73 mph in a 30 mile zone, overtaking other vehicles and going through a red light before crossing Joanne, 49, when she crossed the street friends.
The mother of three left the Denton Working Men’s Club after England versus Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Connor Faulkner
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Prosecutor David Lees said Faulkner had a passenger, Calvin Cousins, in his car that he was supposed to drop off at home when the collision took place.
“Connor Faulkner actually drove right past his street, but didn’t react when this was pointed out to him,” said Lees.
“Suddenly Mr. Cousins heard a loud bang and Mr. Faulkner said ‘I think I hit something’.”
The BMW then plowed into a parked van and came to a stop, hearing the court.
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Faulkner got out, but instead of helping Mrs. Whyte, who was fatally injured on the street, he began picking up debris and throwing the BMW bumper over a fence to get rid of evidence.
A resident tried to prevent him from leaving the scene, but after a short time he drove off, heard the court.
Mr. Lees added that at that point Faulkner was “very aware” that someone was seriously injured.
Flowers at the intersection of Denton Road and Egerton Street in Denton after the tragic accident
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Paramedics attended the scene on Stockport Road in Denton, but unfortunately Joanne was pronounced dead at 2:12 p.m.
Faulkner was later traced back to his home address in Hyde, where he was arrested.
While attending, police found a small cannabis farm with a street value of up to £ 6,000, the court heard.
Faulkner claimed the cannabis was for his personal use only.
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In heartbreaking scenes, Joanne Whyte’s father John took the stand to read a lengthy personal testimony of the victim in court.
He remembered the moment he was told that his daughter was dead and said, “My world collapsed on the spot. I sat in disbelief when I heard the words, how could this happen to us? Why did this happen to us? “
Mr Whyte had to bring the news of Joanne’s death to her adult sons Tom and Daniel as well as their 10-year-old son Malachy.
Faulkner did not stop at the scene and even tried to cover his tracks, the court heard
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“My mind then went to thoughts of how to tell a 10-year-old that his mother is no longer coming home, that his mother who loves and supports him will no longer be there, a child with complex needs who This is what his mother needs, who is not there to love and support him when he is 11 years old.
Joanne was a loving mother and grandmother and would save money to go on vacation with her family, the court heard.
“Something they were all looking forward to will never happen again,” Whyte said.
Many of Joanne’s family are still unable to deal with their anger at Faulkner, the court heard.
Her brother John said, “Ignoring a driving ban, driving at high speed in a killing machine, beating my sister and leaving her all alone on the road without stopping, not checking, made this even harder to master with especially since he knew what he had done.
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“If you try to free yourself from responsibility for your actions, you will never forgive your decisions.”
When he finished his testimony, Mr. Whyte fought back tears as he approached Faulkner directly in the dock and said, “You have no pity or remorse – do you actually know the meaning of these words? You are a coward.”
Jas’s husband, who defended, insisted that Faulkner had “real remorse” for his actions.
Joanne’s father, John Whyte, read a heartbreaking statement at Minshull Street Crown Court about the aftermath of the victim
(Image: MEN Media)
He told the court that Faulkner himself is the father of a young boy.
He remains in a relationship with the boy’s mother and understands that he “put her in a difficult position by that horrific act,” Mann said.
On conviction, Judge Mark Savill went through Faulkner’s dire record of insults and numerous second chances that had been wasted.
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He was first admitted to a juvenile detention center at the age of 19 for trafficking in cocaine and cannabis, the court said.
In May 2015, Faulkner was sentenced to a suspended sentence by the Tameside District Court for driving in a dangerous manner.
He had been followed by police in the Hyde area for driving uninsured and traveling at 60 mph at 50 mph.
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Faulkner fled the police but was later arrested and sentenced to be banned from driving until he passed an advanced retest.
In 2018 and 2020 he again received suspended sentences for driving in the event of disqualification.
“You might be sorry now,” said Judge Savill to Faulkner.
“But it took you to kill someone to bring you to your senses.”
He sentenced Faulkner to seven years in prison for killing by dangerous driving, but also stated that there is a “significant risk” that he could commit another driving offense.
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Faulkner therefore has to serve another three years on an extended license.
Driving is banned for eight years.
Faulkner also admitted causing death from driving during disqualification, death from driving without insurance, not stopping after a collision, failure to report a collision, and possession of cannabis.
All penalties for these offenses run concurrently.
Serious Collision Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Marie Eldred said after the case, “Our thoughts stay with Joanne’s family as they continue to deal with the tragic loss of a loved one.
“Faulkner has driven recklessly around Denton without concern for the safety of those around him, and his thoughtless actions have resulted in the loss of an innocent woman.
“While this result won’t bring Joanne back, I hope it will at least give them a sense that justice has been served.
“I hope this sentence also serves as a warning and reminder of the importance of obeying the traffic rules. Speed limits are there for good reason and while you may feel like you can drive faster, the consequences can sometimes be tragic and result in jail time. “
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