A disqualified driver has been jailed after hitting a pensioner and leaving him for dead in Netherton in March. 

Reece Dunkley was driving along Simms Lane in a Seat Leon, which he had stolen from his ex-partner only hours earlier. 

He lost control of the vehicle and mounted the pavement, striking 83-year-old Stanley Shelton. It was later found that only metres before the collision, Dunkley was driving at 74mph in a 30mph zone. 

After hitting the pensioner, the car continued along the pavement hitting a bus stop and a wall, destroying them both in the process. Cowardly Dunkley got out of the car and, after seeing the destruction he had caused, ran from the scene. 

Mr Shelton, who was only metres from home at the time of the collision, suffered serious injuries and sadly died at the scene. 

Dunkley was quickly identified by officers as the driver and he was arrested less than two hours later. At the time of his arrest, he was nearly three times over the alcohol limit for driving. 

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on 29 April, Dunkley pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance and driving whilst over the limit for alcohol.

The 29-year-old, of Kilburn Place, Netherton, was sentenced and jailed for nine years after admitting the offence. 

Mr Shelton was described in a victim impact statement by his wife as ’the best husband I could ever ask for’. She continued:

"He was the most gentle man, he never argued with anyone, he was kind, friendly and would do anything to help anyone if he could. 

“He was a very honest person and was very well liked, he had many friends. 

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the cards and condolences that I have received from so many people, which just goes to show how many lives he touched. He truly was the very best husband and father.

"I will miss him every day, we went everywhere together but this is one journey that I cannot go on with him."

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, added:

”This is a really tragic but totally avoidable case, where Dunkley selfishly chose to drive a stolen car, knowing he had been drinking and was disqualified from driving, and stole the life of another man. 

“Dunkley showed no remorse for his actions and cowardly ran from the scene, instead of trying to help Mr Shelton or hand himself in.

"Nothing will bring Stan back, but I am pleased his family have not had to be put through the ordeal of a trial and they will find comfort knowing he has been brought to justice."