A VAN driver who killed a road safety campaigner as he crossed the road outside his house could face up to 14 years in jail.

Craig Peter Flavell, 35, of Ship Street, Frodsham, pleaded guilty to causing the death of 79-year-old war veteran Leslie Cardus by dangerous driving.

During Monday’s hearing Chester Crown Court was told Flavell:

Drank four pints of lager before driving.

Left Mr Cardus for dead at the roadside and didn’t return for 50 minutes.

Drank more alcohol – rum and a can of lager – before returning to the scene.

Father-of-three Flavell will be banned from driving for two years and jailed when he is sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, November 11.

Following the guilty plea, Mr Cardus’s daughter Joanne said: “It is totally appropriate that somebody like that is not on the public roads anymore.”

Retired pharmacist Leslie Cardus, of Fluin Lane, Frodsham, was crossing the road to have a Sunday dinner with a neighbour when he was hit by Flavell at about 5pm on January 13.

He was taken to Warrington Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Peter Frost, prosecuting, said: “There were two toxicology reports and both of them say that Flavell’s estimated consumption was about four pints of lager during the afternoon and a further can of lager and some rum.”

Speaking about Flavell drinking after the incident, Gareth Roberts, defending, said: “He is a man who has some problem with alcohol and was in shock.”

After giving Flavell an interim driving ban, judge Elgan Edwards, the Recorder of Chester, said: “Your sentence is going to be custodial and of some length.”