Drink-driving former Chamber leader jailed for hit-and-run

Businessman and former Chamber leader Owen Finn has been jailed for a hit-and-run which led to a 16 year-old boy needing 24-hour care.

Former Hull and Humber Chamber leader Finn, 64, has been given a three-year sentence for the serious traffic collision in East Yorkshire that left Kiernan Roberts unable to walk.

Roberts was struck by an inebriated Finn on 7 October 2016. He suffered a broken neck and brain injuries and now needs around-the-clock care after having half his skull removed.

Finn, of Solihull Lane, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to several charges, including drink driving, failing to stop or report an accident and causing serious injuries by dangerous driving.

Instead of stopping, the court heard last week, Finn drove 130 miles at his mother’s home in Birmingham. He initially denied being involved until his wife became suspicious and turned him in.

According to the BBC, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said during his sentencing: “This is an exceptionally serious case. It reveals the utterly dreadful consequences of drinking and driving.

“Your behaviour that night was shameful in the extreme.

“Your cowardice after the collision was breathtaking in its callous disregard for the life of the boy who you maimed, leaving him, as you did, in the roadway whilst you made off in an endeavour to evade justice.

“All the very positive features of your life up to that point have been eradicated by your own truly dreadful behaviour.”