Uber driver killed 'devoted dad' in city centre hit and run
https://news.stv.tv/west-central/uber-d ... it-and-run
An Uber driver has admitted killing a passenger in a hit and run.
Kunathilinghan Mohanthas fatally struck Christopher Hanton in Glasgow city centre last August 5.
Mohanthas had told the 40-year-old mortgage advisor to get out his Mercedes Vito just moments after picking him up.
He then deliberately hit Mr Hanton as he drove off leaving the dad-of-one for dead.
Mr Hanton never recovered after hitting his head on the ground and passed away in hospital days later.
Mohanthas, 48, faces prison after he pled guilty to a charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC told how Mr Hanton, of Chryston, North Lanarkshire, had been on a night out with friends.
He then ordered a taxi home on the Uber app at around 10.30pm.
Mohanthas was allocated the pick up and drove to the city’s George Street where Mr Hanton was.
Mr Hanton got in the back of the car before the cabbie then got out and asked him to leave his vehicle, which he did.
Mohanthas then began a three-point turn – Mr Hanton approached the Mercedes meantime and slapped the back of the vehicle.
He ended up in front of the taxi with the car now stationery.
Mr Cameron then explained: “To complete the three-point turn, Mohanthas would have steered to the right.
“Instead, he made a sudden turn to the left towards Mr Hanton, who was struck by the front of the vehicle.
“This caused him to fall backwards and strike his head on the road.
“Mohanthas did not stop – he continued steering to the right again, completed his turn and drove off.”
Passers-by went to help a bleeding Mr Hanton. He was taken to hospital but passed away on August 9 due to his head injury.
Mohanthas walked back to the scene 15 minutes later.
He approached a police officer and admitted he had “hit” Mr Hanton.
Mohanthas, of Glasgow, stated he had refused to take the dad and claimed Mr Hanton had then started “punching” his car.
He later added: “I have not done anything to anyone deliberately.”
Mr Cameron said Mohanthas had previous convictions for dishonesty and a public order offence.
Lord Clark deferred sentencing for reports until May 13 in Kilmarnock.
The judge told Mohanthas: “You have pleaded guilty to killing a man by deliberately driving your car at him.
“You hit him causing him to fall backwards striking his head on the road.
“This was an extremely serious act of violence which has had devastating consequences.”
In a tribute following the tragedy, Mr Hanton’s family spoke of a “devoted and dedicated husband” to his wife as well as a “loving father” to his young son.
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