Life sentence for drunk van driver who ran over war veteran on Christmas Day

A DRUNK driver who murdered a war veteran on Christmas Day after hitting him with his van and dragging his body 200 yards has been jailed for life.

Bernard Smith, 83SWNS

Bernard Smith, 83, who was dragged 650ft by Moscicki's van

Josef Moscicki, 23, had only had his licence back for four weeks after a ban when he mowed down Bernard Smith.

Mr Smith, 83, known as Jim, suffered horrific head injuries and multiple broken bones from being dragged the length of two football pitches.

Shockingly, Moscicki returned to the scene and deliberately drove over Mr Smith again as he lay dying.

A court heard Moscicki had been banned for two drink-driving convictions in 2011 but had been drinking at a nightclub where he rowed with his girlfriend and one of her relatives.

He then took a taxi without paying the fare and had another row with his girlfriend at her family’s home before setting off at high speed in his van.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard he struck Mr Smith despite him wearing a high-visibility jacket.

Mr Smith had been walking home from a social club in the early hours, crossing a road in Stafford, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police spotted the van later and attempted to stop it but Moscicki drove at an officer, forcing him to jump away.

Prosecutor Robert Price told the jury: “For 200 metres, Mr Smith received grave injuries as his body connected with the surface.

"The features of the evidence demonstrate a clear intention to cause Mr Smith at the very least really serious injury and at the worst to cause his death.”

Drunk driver Josef MoscickiSWNS

Drunk driver Moscicki drove over the pensioner twice

It was a truly horrific way for Mr Smith to lose his life

Judge John Warner

Moscicki, of Wokingham, Berks, claimed he had no recollection of running over the pensioner.

He added: “It is upsetting and it is a sad thing that has happened.

"Christmas is never going to be the same for his family or for me.

"It is always going to be the day that Mr Smith died.”

Moscicki was found guilty of murdering the pensioner, from Stafford.

He was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 21 years.

Judge John Warner said: “It was a truly horrific way for Mr Smith to lose his life.

"No sentence I can pass can reduce the loss felt by his family.”

Mr Smith had served in the Royal Engineers in Korea.

After the hearing, his niece Jaqueline Atherden said: “Uncle Jim was a very quiet, intelligent man who had spent most of his life looking after people.” 

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