Sentence cut for dangerous driver who caused death

A driver whose reckless actions caused the death of a 29-year-old man has had his prison sentence reduced on appeal from six years to four.

Jackson Paul, 36, was jailed in February for causing the death by dangerous driving of Jordan Thomas, who had climbed onto the bonnet of Paul's BMW on 25 February 2024 on Harbour Road in Onchan.

The court heard that after Mr Thomas started punching the windscreen, Paul had accelerated to 30mph (48km/h) before braking sharply, resulting in the 29-year-old falling off the front of the vehicle.

While three deemsters in a Court of Appeal hearing at Douglas Courthouse upheld Paul's conviction, they found his original sentence to be "manifestly excessive".

Judge of Appeal Anthony Cross, KC, Deemster Richard Pratt, KC, and Deemster Simon Farrell, KC, ruled the sentence should be reduced by one third.

Douglas Courthouse previously heard that after Mr Thomas had climbed onto the bonnet, he had pulled at the windscreen wipers, breaking one off, before twice punching the windscreen.

Paul initially reversed his vehicle before stopping, accelerating forward, and braking sharply.

This "propelled" Mr Thomas off the car, the court heard at Paul's trial.

Mr Thomas died at Liverpool's Aintree Hospital nine days after the incident.

During the appeal hearing, Paul's lawyer argued the "unique and extraordinary" circumstances had not been sufficiently considered by the judge when passing sentence.

He argued that it was "just over the threshold" for dangerous driving.

Meanwhile the prosecution said the original six-year custodial sentence was "tough but justified".

Judge of Appeal Anthony Cross told the family of Mr Thomas that in cases where there had been a loss of life, deciding upon an appropriate sentence was "extremely difficult".

"No sentence that a court can pass will ever satisfy those who are so deeply affected by their loss," he said.

Upon reflection, though, he said the Deemsters were "satisfied" the original sentence was "manifestly excessive".

But they upheld the original sentence which will see Paul be disqualified from driving for eight years and be required to pass an extended driving test before he can regain his licence.

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