Picture released of dangerous Doncaster driver who caused death of businessman

Sheffield Crown Court heard today, December 11, how 74-year-old Alan Westerman had been walking his dog Dougie on Melton Road, Sprotbrough, Doncaster, when he was struck by an out-of-control Landrover Discovery being driven by Charles Stewart.

Laura Marshall, prosecuting, said Stewart, aged 30, of Lakeen Road, Intake, Doncaster, had been over the drink-drive limit and the drug-drive limit for cocaine when he caused a collision with a Ford Transit van before veering into pedestrian Alan Westerman and his dog on November 2, 2019.

She added Stewart had been exceeding the speed-limit when he had overtaken a vehicle as a van at a lefthand junction lawfully turned right and was involved in a near head-on collision with Stewart’s Land Rover which veered and struck Mr Westerman on the pavement.

The widow of former businessman Mr Westerman – a father and grandfather - said: “The loss of our loved-one has traumatised all of us even our dog who was also injured in the collision.”

She added: "My last vision of Alan is him lying in a gutter. He certanly did not deserve that and when I cannot sleep at night this is the vision that haunts me.”

Mrs Westerman said she feels like she has been left “living in a dark world” and she never even had a chance to say goodbye.

The episode was captured by a cam-corder of a car following the defendant, according to Ms Marshall, which had previously been overtaken by Stewart before the collision.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC noted at a previous hearing Stewart had been overtaking too close to a junction while he was over the limit for alcohol and cocaine and was slightly speeding while uninsured.

The defendant told police he had been rushing home because he thought he had left the hob on.

Stewart, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to doing so while he was uninsured. He also admitted driving over the limit for alcohol and to driving while unfit through drugs while over the limit for cocaine.

Gordon Stables, defending, said: “Mr Stewart wishes through me to express his huge sorrow and remorse at what has happened here.

"He, of course, did not set out that day to commit such an offence and it has hit him hard but obviously not as hard as the Westerman family.

"He is someone who is extremely remorseful and he has accepted what must happen.”

Mr Stables added brick-layer Stewart’s mother refers to him as a loving son, brother and father to his children.

Judge Richardson told Stewart: “By your dangerous driving you killed a much-loved 74-year-old gentleman who was walking his dog in the late afternoon of November 2, 2019. The consequences for his family have been devastating.”

He added: “You have wrecked the life of Mrs Westerman by killing her husband due to your dangerous and deplorable driving.”

Judge Richardson sentenced Stewart to four years of custody with a five-year disqualification to be activated upon his release.

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