Plymouth Man jailed for killing pedestrian

Luke Dann found guilty of manslaughter

A Plymouth man has been jailed for manslaughter after driving his car into a pedestrian.

Luke Dann, 37, of Beechwood Rise, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court today (Wednesday 13 September) where he was sentenced for driving his Land Rover over 42-year-old David Kelly on 21 March 2023 on Leigham Manor Drive, Plymouth.

Dann previously denied the charges of murder and manslaughter but was convicted by a jury following trial.

Later that evening Luke Dann was arrested on suspicion of murder. In an interview, he gave a prepared statement in which he described that he had been driving home when he was attacked and said, ‘I was in fear for my safety’.

He denied intentionally hitting anyone with his car and pleaded not guilty in court.

After hearing the evidence from Police, witnesses and forensic experts, the jury retired and returned a guilty verdict for the offense of manslaughter on 12 September. They found him not guilty of murder.

In sentencing, Judge Peter Johnson said: ‘I reject the suggestion that there was any element of self-defense in your actions’…’ you deliberately drove towards him [David Kelly] using your car as a weapon’.

He said that Dann had ‘shamefully called 999’ after the incident ‘not for Mr Kelly but to prepare your defense', adding ‘I cannot believe you didn’t tell the operator you had driven over someone’.

He will serve 15 years behind bars and imposed a discretionary driving ban.