Dad and son jailed for hit and run revenge killing

Martin and Shaun Breeze were jailed for killing Brian Darby and injuring three others in a hit and run

A father and son have been jailed for killing a man in a hit and run revenge attack.

Brian Darby, 60, was killed and three other people injured when Martin Breeze ploughed into them with his van in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, last February.

The 57 year-old ''deliberately targeted'' the group while high on drink and drugs after his son Shaun Breeze got into an argument with them earlier in the evening, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Martin Breeze was found guilty of murder and four counts of attempted murder and jailed for a minimum of 32 years . His 30-year-old son was jailed for 16 years having been found guilty of manslaughter and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm.

During the trial, the court heard that Mr Darby, a project manager with the RSPB, had been walking home with friends after a night out when Martin Breeze drove into them.

The van also struck Kelly Jordan, who almost died, and two other young men.

Breeze's action was in retaliation for the group taking issue with his son for riding his bike through them.

The 30-year-old, who was diagnosed with anxiety from childhood, had been out looking for drugs, the court heard.

Mr Darby was dragged by Breeze's Citroen Berlingo for 150 metres (492ft) and died at the scene.

'Profound sadness'

The Breezes abandoned the vehicle and later falsely claimed it had been stolen.

Both were convicted of perverting the course of justice in relation to this claim.

During the sentencing hearing, Mr Darby's daughter Kayleigh Chapman said her dad would ''light up every room he walked into" and her family had been left with a ''deep and profound sadness".

Reading her victim impact statement, she added: "It's like a light has been switched off."

Ms Jordan, a friend of Mr Darby and the most seriously injured of the survivors, told the court she had suffered 20 fractures, was placed in a coma, and stayed in hospital for six weeks.

Walking with a crutch to the witness box, she said she had lost parts of her life she enjoyed the most.

She said: "I can't go to the gym, I can't walk the dog, socialise and can't go on holiday.

"These things have been taken away due to the reckless actions of Shaun and Martin Breeze."