THIS is the shocking moment a heartless driver laughed and mocked police after he mowed down and killed a dad-of-two outside a pub.
Toby Kelly deliberately rammed his van into Sheldon Flanighan, 55, and his pal Wayne Common in a car park.
Toby Kelly laughed at police after killing a dad-of-two
Sheldon was run over twice in the pub car parkNNP
Kelly was today jailed for life for murderNNP
The pair had stepped in to help a woman who Kelly had been rowing with when the horror unfolded.
Ambulance worker Sheldon died at the scene in Cramlington, Northumberland, while Wayne was left with long-term injuries.
Footage has now been released of Kelly’s arrest after he was today jailed for life with a minimum of 28 years.
The evil driver can be seen laughing and joking when police told him Sheldon had been killed in the horror crash.
He then claims the driver has disappeared as he smacks the dashboard and puts on a mocking voice.
At one point, Kelly pretends to look for the “driver” out the windscreen before copying a police officer arresting him.
Newcastle Crown Court was told the horror unfolded in April in the car park of the Bay Horse Inn.
Kelly was “causing trouble” at the pub by intimidating a staff member, refusing to leave when asked and throwing his wallet on the counter to show how much money he had.
When his female companion Shannon Wooden hit him during a row, Kelly “retaliated and overpowered” her – causing injuries to her face and dragging her by her feet from the bar.
After Sheldon and Wayne went to help Shannon, the killer was booted out the pub along with her and pal David Fairclough.
He then got in his van with the pair and used the vehicle “as a weapon” by deliberately driving into Sheldon and Wayne.
The court heard Sheldon was run over twice and went under the van when Kelly reversed.
After Kelly fled the scene, he was seen on CCTV hugging David “in jubilation” and examining his van for damage.
Wayne meanwhile has been left with injuries to his head, ribs, foot, liver and spleen and suffers from ongoing balance issues, slurred speech and the loss of taste and smell.
He has also been diagnosed with depression and is likely to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the court was told.
Wayne said: “Prior to this incident I always used to be the life and soul of the party. I feel as though I don’t recognise myself from who I used to be.
“I don’t feel I’m entitled to enjoy myself because of what happened to Sheldon. (He) was a decent man who lived a decent life.”
In a victim impact statement, Sheldon’s sister Julia Burnett described him as a “dedicated dad” whose sons have been left heartbroken by his death.
She told how one of his sons was “tortured” by the fact his dad could not be there for his 16th birthday and was too traumatised to take his exams.
Ms Burnett added: “The defendant has never shown any remorse or acknowledgement of guilt.
“The atrocity committed by (Kelly) is beyond any comprehension.”
Kelly was found guilty of murder and attempted murder and had admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Shannon and David were also arrested and charged but the case against them both was later dropped and no further action taken.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Johnson, of Northumbria Police, said: “I know that no sentence will ever take away the pain Kelly caused that night, or bring Sheldon back, but I do hope today can serve as a form of closure and allow all those grieving to begin moving forwards with their lives.
“Kelly behaved in a despicable manner that night. The jury heard details of his aggression towards Wooden inside the bar, before he chose to drive into Sheldon and Wayne. Even when we arrested him for causing Sheldon’s death, our body worn video footage captured him joking and lying to officers about who the driver was.
“I am pleased that Kelly has a long prison term ahead of him. I hope he uses the opportunity to seriously think about all the unnecessary pain and suffering he has caused due to his inexcusable anger. Our communities are no place for people like this.”
Kelly could be seen mocking police and pretending to look for the ‘driver’
He used his car as a weapon to ram into SheldonNNP Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
