A drink-driver who was "showing off in a big boy BMW" while travelling to deal cocaine has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for killing a pedestrian in Stechford.
A Fatal Night of Reckless Driving
On the evening of Sunday 9 February, 71-year-old Wynford Griffiths, affectionately known as Willie, was crossing Audley Road in Stechford. At the same time, Makyle Taggart, 30, was driving a blue BMW X4 at speeds of up to 82mph on the 30mph limit road. The court heard Taggart was more than double the legal alcohol limit and had overtaken two vehicles on the wrong side of the road, ignoring safety bollards, moments before the collision.
Mr Griffiths, who was disabled and more than halfway across the street, suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene. Taggart did not brake before the impact and subsequently fled, turning off his car's lights as he drove away. He later abandoned the extensively damaged vehicle.
A Cowardly Flight and Eventual Guilty Plea
Following the crash, Taggart, from Lea Hall Road in Kitts Green, told passengers "it will be alright". One friend in the car later told police Taggart was "bladdered" behind the wheel, had "music pumping", and ignored repeated pleas to slow down. The court was told Taggart had been at a social club in Yardley earlier, where he argued with bouncers due to his intoxication, before receiving a call to sell half a gram of cocaine.
He was not arrested until June and initially answered no comment in police interviews. However, he eventually pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday 18 December, Judge Paul Farrer KC jailed him for 13 years and two months.
Family's Grief and Lasting Sentence
The victim's family paid moving tributes to a "kind, beautiful and thoughtful" man. His niece, Samantha Venables, said he was "left to die at the side of the road" in a "cowardly" act, leaving the family with enduring pain. His sister, Gwen Venables, spoke of her devastation and the image of her brother dying in the road.
Judge Farrer described the incident as a "truly appalling piece of driving" demonstrating "complete irresponsibility". Taggart must serve up to two-thirds of his sentence in custody and will then face a ten-year driving ban upon his release. His defence barrister stated he was "very, very sorry" and would live with the consequences for life.
