MAN FOUND GUILTY OF KILLING A 70-YEAR-OLD PEDESTRIAN ON THE EAST LANCS BY WAY OF DANGEROUS DRIVING

Jurors at Manchester Crown Court have found 30-year-old Ben Trigger of Merton Grove in Astley, guilty of causing the death of 70-year-old Abdelkader Dhrif, by way of dangerous driving, after he accelerated his Ford Ranger pick up truck through a crossing at the junction of Ellenbrook and New Earth Road shortly after 3:30pm on Nov 20th 2019, killing both Mr Dhrif and his pet dog Masie who were using the crossing at the time.

Paramedics attempted to treat Abdelkader who was also known as 'Tony' at the scene but despite their best efforts it was to no avail, he sadly passed away.

Trigger has told police he was travelling at 40mph at the time of the accident but computer tracking technology in his car told a different story, it shown clearly that he had been travelling in excess of 60mph as he accelerated through the junction.

He is set to appear for sentencing later in the year and in the meanwhile has been handed an interim ban from driving.

It is said that, Mr Dhrif or Tony as he was known to his friends, loved living in Boothstown and was proud to be a member of the local community.

He was known and loved by everyone who knew him and would stop and talk with many people on his daily morning walk to Costcutter for a newspaper.

He also regularly visited Bexters for an espresso coffee and always had Maisie - the family’s little white dog who also died in the collision - with him wherever he walked.

He is sadly missed within the community.

We extend our condolences to his friends and family.