Man sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving

Today (Friday 8 March 2024) Tom Ferguson (24/08/1994) of no fixed abode has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after causing the death of 77-year-old Robert Palmer.

He has also been banned from driving for 13 years. 

On Thursday 9 November 2023 at around 11.35am, officers were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Buxton Road, Stockport.

It was established that a BMW 1 Series was travelling in a south-eastern direction on Buxton Road, mounted the pavement on its nearside and collided with a pedestrian near to junction of Fence Street.

The BMW which was being driven by Ferguson then re-joined the carriageway following the collision and began to drive away from the scene.

A member of the public who witnessed the collision courageously chased him down and forced him off the road using his own vehicle, ultimately, bringing him to a stop at a set of traffic lights.

After approaching the car, the member of the public confronted Mr Ferguson and made reference to the fact that he had collided with a pedestrian, which Ferguson responded to by saying “Have I? Sorry mate, I didn’t even know.”

The pedestrian, Robert Palmer, was taken to hospital and tragically died as a result of the injuries that he sustained during the collision.

On police arrival Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken to custody for questioning.  

On Saturday 11 November 2023, he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified, causing death whilst uninsured and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Officers investigating events leading up to the time of the collision established that Ferguson has been staying at a hotel in the area and was asked to leave after numerous complaints of him being intoxicated.

On the day of the collision, hotel staff entered his room to ensure he was preparing to leave and located Ferguson on the bed surrounded by nine empty litre bottles of Captain Morgan’s rum.

Ferguson appeared at reception stating that he was leaving. Staff at the hotel noticed that he was holding a half-full bottle of rum on his departure.

Due to their concern that he may drive they told him not to, which he ignored.

He stumbled out to the car park where he got into his BMW and proceeded to reverse out of the parking bay and into an adjacent fence. A member of the public raised it with the hotel staff who then called police to make them aware.

Later forensic work would show that Ferguson was over two times the legal limit to drive despite being tested hours after the initial collision occurred.

Detective Constable Liam Carolan from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Firstly, I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Robert Palmer. This is such a sad case of a husband accompanying his wife back from a hospital appointment.

“Robert’s wife described him as a true gentleman that he would always make sure that he would position himself on the outside of the pathway to protect her from traffic. His deepest fears sadly became a reality when he was hit by Tom Ferguson’s BMW.

“Ferguson’s actions were ridiculously irresponsible, getting behind the wheel of a car after a couple of drinks can have devastating effects, let alone driving after consuming nine-and-a-half bottles of rum over a two-day period.

“The entire team involved in this investigation worked tirelessly to ensure that Ferguson was put behind bars and remained there.

“I am really pleased with the length of sentencing that was passed today, and I hope this provides some sort of closure for Robert’s family and friends.”