A pensioner is facing up to 14 years in jail today after he mowed down and killed a father who sacrificed his own life to save his nine-year-old daughter.
Edward Whalen, 89, who was driving a Kia Picanto during evening rush hour in Wythenshawe, Manchester, ploughed into healthcare worker Paul John at a road junction as the victim was walking hand-in-hand with his youngest child, Angela.
Father-of-two Mr John, 47, whose wife works as a nurse at a hospital in South Manchester, pushed Angela out of the way before taking the full brunt of the impact, according to witnesses.
Edward Whalen (left, outside court today), 89, mowed down and killed Paul John (right), 47, at a road junction in Wythenshawe, Manchester, as he was walking hand-in-hand with his youngest child, Angela. Mr John, who pushed his daughter out of the way, died two days later
Father-of-two Mr John, whose wife works as a nurse at a hospital in South Manchester, took the full brunt of the impact, according to witnesses. Pictured above with his family, including Angela in the white dress
He died two days later and, in a final act of selflessness, his organs were donated to save the lives of others. Angela sustained minor cuts and bruises.
A woman pushing her two-year-old son in a buggy was also injured in the impact at 5pm on March 14 last year.
Whalen, who lives in the Burnage area of Manchester, remained at the scene of the tragedy but was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
At Manchester Crown Court yesterday, he was warned he faced jail after he admitted both offences during a brief hearing. He arrived at court wearing a flat cap and winter coat and walked slowly with a slight limp.
In the dock, Whalen spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and nationality before entering his pleas.
The pensioner strained to hear what was being said, leaned forward from his seat and initially looked confused during proceedings.
Mr John, who worked for an NHS trust in Manchester, moved to the city from Kerala in southern India in 2001 and was an active member of St Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church. His wife, Mini (also pictured, with Angela), works as a staff nurse at Wythenshawe Hospital
He will be sentenced on February following the preparation of pre-sentence reports.
Whalen was granted unconditional bail and given an interim driving ban but Judge Timothy Smith told him: ‘These are very serious offences and the court will have to consider whether it is appropriate to pass a custodial sentence on you.
Whalen, of Burnage, Manchester, is now facing up to 14 years in jail
‘That will be at the forefront of the court’s mind on that occasion. Offences of this nature clearly pass the custodial threshold. You must be expecting to receive a custodial sentence.
‘A pre-sentence report must be completed by the date of your sentence. In the meantime you will be disqualified on an interim basis until your sentence is passed.’
Mr John, who worked for an NHS trust in Manchester, moved to the city from Kerala in southern India in 2001 and was an active member of St Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church in Wythenshawe.
His wife, Mini, works as a staff nurse at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Police were called to the accident scene on Woodhouse Lane at the junction of Hollyhedge Road, Benchill to find Whalen’s black Kia Picanto had been involved in a collision Mr John and his daughter – along with Stephanie Kendal, 27, and her two-year-old son.
Ambulances attended and Mr John was rushed to an unnamed hospital in a critical condition. Miss Kendal was treated for a broken wrist and her son was uninjured.
Officers said Whalen helped police with enquiries and said their thoughts were with Mr John’s family – but added they were ‘thankful’ the other victims of the crash were not more seriously injured.
Witnesses reported seeing Mr John desperately push Angela out of the way of the car during the incident. Moments later, the Kia struck Miss Kendal and her son.
In a tribute to Mr John last year Sajan Chacko, president of the Manchester Knanaya Catholic Association, said: ‘Paul was very involved in church activities, and was a very active member – we are like a family at the church.
‘He was a lovely man, he always had a nice smile on his face. He was never rude, and was always very friendly. He was very religious. He spent most of his time with the family, looking after the kids. That was his life. He would go to work, then go back and look after his family.’
Police were called to the accident scene on Woodhouse Lane at the junction of Hollyhedge Road, Benchill to find Whalen’s black Kia Picanto had been involved in a collision Mr John and his daughter
Dominic Hemington, headteacher of St John Fisher and St Thomas More, where Angela is a pupil, said: ‘Everyone here in school is deeply saddened at the news of Paul John’s death.
‘His daughter Angela is a kind and caring little girl, with a lovely family, who we know very well. She has lots of friends here in school and pupils have been making cards and writing prayers. We are continuing to pray for everyone involved at this very sad time.’
Sarah Corcoran posted on Facebook said: ‘Truly heartbreaking, hope the little girl will grow up to know just what a true hero her daddy was.’
Last November, retired textile merchant Philip Bull, 90, was given a suspended sentence after he ran down and killed a couple outside Withington Hospital in Manchester after he pressed on the accelerator instead of the brake in his automatic car. He admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Recent figures from the RAC Foundation said more than 4million people over the age of 70 have full UK driving licences with almost 200 of them over the age of 100 with a licence.
Currently, drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, or death by careless driving while drunk or on drugs, face up to 14 years in jail – but the Ministry of Justice said plans were under way to increase the maximum punishment to life imprisonment – making the offences the equivalent of manslaughter.