Van killers' sentencing planned after appeal held

Martin and Shaun Breeze are due to be sentenced in January

A father and son who killed a man with their van in a deliberate hit and run are to be sentenced in the new year after an appeal was concluded.

Martin Breeze, 57, was convicted of murder and his 30-year-old son, Shaun Breeze, of manslaughter, after Brian Darby was mown down and killed in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, in February.

Shaun Breeze appealed with the judges quashing one conviction and altering three others, in relation to four other people struck by their van.

The murder trial had heard Mr Darby, 60, was walking home with friends after a night out when Martin Breeze drove into them, in retaliation for their remonstrating with his son for riding his bike through them.

Brian Darby was killed in February

Martin Breeze was also found guilty of four counts of attempted murder following the trial at Teesside Crown Court in July, while Shaun Breeze was convicted of three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

Appeal judges quashed one of Shaun Breeze's grievous bodily harm charges and changed the others to be wounding without intent.

His manslaughter conviction remained unchanged and the Court of Appeal returned the case to Teesside for sentencing.

They are due to be sentenced on 13 January, Teesside Crown Court confirmed.