Fugitive driver in car killing jailed

Takeaway chef Tian Bin Xue, 37, reversed into Olive Stephens and dragged her under his vehicle before running over her and then driving away in his Citroen Xsara.

The 91-year-old widow was left with multiple fractures and later died from her injuries following the accident in Leeds in July 2006.

In the meantime, Xue, who failed on two occasions to stay in the UK, fled the county and despite a nationwide appeal to trace him was only found nearly four years later hiding in a cupboard above Zen Zen takeaway in Blackburn.

Leeds Crown Court was told Xue was found hiding in a built-in cupboard behind some clothes in January this year.

The victim was described as "fit as a fiddle" who liked laughing and joking and "having fun".

She lived in sheltered accommodation and on the day of the accident she had been for lunch at a Salvation Army church.

Xue, who had just been to a job interview at a Chinese takeaway in Beeston, reversed out of a side street, into the main road and knocked his victim over.

The reversing manoeuvre was described as "inherently dangerous" by the judge.

Prosecuting Heather Gilmore said: "Mrs Stephens had been struck by the rear of the vehicle as it reversed. She fell to the ground and the rear wheels travelled over her body. The car itself travelled over her body at least to the centre of the car. The car moved forward and left the scene."

The court was told Xue did not realise he had struck anybody but he "would have been aware of something under the car as it travelled".

In mitigation, Mr Robin Mairs said his client was remorseful and drink or drugs were not involved in the accident.

He said his client never saw the victim crossing the road but conceded he should have handed himself into the police.

"He does not excuse his actions but it was out of fear and panic," he told the court.

Sentencing, Judge James Goss QC said: "It appears from the pre-sentence report you don't seem to acknowledge the true level of your culpability or your responsibility for your actions."

Xue, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, cannot obtain a licence for four years and must take an extended driving test once he can.

The court was told the authorities would decide on his UK status at a later date.

After the case, the pensioner's son, Richard, said: "Tian Bin Xue's actions in reversing over my mother, driving over her again and leaving her to die were extremely cold and callous and I am disappointed that he did not face a charge of manslaughter.

"However, we are delighted that he has finally been brought to justice. We are very pleased with the work of West Yorkshire Police and cannot speak highly enough of the officers involved."

Det Supt Paul Taylor, who led the investigation, said: "Mrs Stephens's tragic death was made all the more distressing by the fact that Tian Bin Xue failed to accept responsibility for his actions and hand himself in.

"It is testament to the tireless work and dedication of detectives and civilian research officers over the last four years that he was finally arrested and convicted, so justice could be secured for Mrs Stephens."