Two men sentenced to nine years and six months in prison following fatal collision on the Strand, Liverpool city centre

We are welcoming the sentencing today (12th April 2019) of two men in connection with a fatal road traffic collision on the Strand, Liverpool City Centre in 2017. 

Matthew Bradley, aged 24, originally from Glenavy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was enjoying a night out with friends on Friday 3 November 2017 when he was struck by a silver BMW car near to the Hilton Hotel on The Strand at 11.40pm. The driver of the car failed to stop, leaving Matthew critically injured in the street. He died from his injuries a short time later in hospital.

Thomas Joseph Bimson, 23 years, of Waterloo Road, Vauxhall, Liverpool was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, he was also sentenced to two years for causing death while driving unlicensed, and two years for causing death while driving uninsured, to run concurrently. He was additionally disqualified from driving for 12 years with an extended re-test imposed.

Ibrar Saddique, 35 years, of Sunnybank Lane, Pudsey, West Yorkshire was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of aiding and abetting a driver who causes death by dangerous driving. He was additionally disqualified from driving for three years and nine months.

Following an extensive investigation, Bimson and Saddique were arrested and charged with the offences.

Detective Inspector Judith Blease said: “This was a tragic incident in which a young man enjoying a night out in Liverpool had his life taken from him.

“The devastation caused to Matthew’s family, friends and the wider community back home in County Antrim will always be felt, and we hope that in some small way these verdicts offer a measure of comfort as they continue through this sad and difficult time.

“The actions of Bimson and Saddique that night in making off from the scene exacerbated this suffering but after a thorough investigation, we are pleased that neither man was able to evade justice, and both will now face the prospect of prison.

“We are committed to the prevention and detection of anyone who causes harm on the roads of Merseyside, and if nothing else, this heart-breaking case serves as a poignant reminder that people can and do die on our roads, as a direct and avoidable result of dangerous and reckless driving.

“Policing of our roads is designed to reduce such incidents, and we will continue to do anything we can do, alongside our partners, to achieve this. Everyone has a part to play in making our roads safer, so if you know anyone who drives at excess speed or in a reckless manner, take responsibility for speaking to them, before they find themselves in the same position as Thomas Bimson has today.”

The family of Matthew Bradley have also thanked all those that helped him saying: “The Bradley family would like to take this opportunity to simply say thank you.

“Thank you to the passers-by who rushed forward to help Matthew, to the paramedics and hospital staff.

“Thank you to those that came forward in the aftermath to give statements to the police of what they had seen and subsequently gave evidence in court. We know that can't have been easy.

“We would like to thank Merseyside Police for their thorough investigation. We are particularly grateful for the continuous support of Constable George Olley and the Family Liaison team during this difficult time. Thanks to Martine Snowdon and her team for all their hard work in building the prosecution case.

“We thank the jury for their attention and consideration during what was a lengthy and undoubtedly distressing trial.

“We are forever in debt to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for bringing Matthew home to us.

“We would also like to recognise the kindness and support of our family, friends and the wider community in the last 18 months, particularly to Matthew's girlfriend Rhi and her family.

“We are utterly devastated by Matthew's death, but the kindness we have been shown by people around us has given us comfort.”