Minshull Street Crown Court
Live from court: Sentencing of driver who killed his friend in horror crash after police chase
Mark Darren MacCormick, 30, of no fixed address, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving
Andrew Bardsley
A driver who killed his friend in a horror crash is due to be sentenced this morning.
Declan Blackburne, 21, was a passenger in a black Honda Civic involved in a police chase after officers spotted it driving above the speed limit.
He died 12 days after the crash on Councillor Lane, in Cheadle, in the early hours of November 24 last year.
The driver, Mark Darren MacCormick, 30, of no fixed address, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
The car did not stop for police, and MacCormick lost control of the vehicle and collided with a telegraph pole.
He is due to be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court.
Tributes flooded in for Mr Blackburne following his death.
In a statement his family said: "It's with deep regret I have to inform you that a few short hours ago Declan has sadly passed away. Declan was loved and known by so many people.
"I have taken great comfort knowing that Declan has donated his organs to a few recipients that are in great need of them.
"It was his last wish to donate and has been carried out in accordance with his wishes. Declan has given people the gift of life today."Thank-you for all your thoughts, prayers and wishes."
11:03 Andrew Bardsley
Judge thanks victim's family for 'quiet dignity'
The judge added: "After the collision you ran away leaving your gravely injured passenger behind.
"You handed yourself in to the police station, although at a time - in the words of the victim's mother's personal statement - when the net was closing in on you."
Before he left court the judge said: "I want to thank the victim's family for their quiet dignity."
The family were too upset to speak to the press following the hearing
'Human life has a value which cannot be measured'
In his sentencing remarks the judge said: "Declan Blackburne was 21. He was loved and will be missed by his family.
"The court cannot attempt to that measure that loss.
"The sentence that will be imposed is not an attempt to do that as human life has a value which cannot be measured."
He said there is aggravating features in the case as he was driving away from the scene being chased by police and at the time he was serving a suspended sentence for violence committed in April 2015.
'I wish it was my life taken that night'
In a letter to the judge MacCormick said:
"I know there's no words I can possibly say. It's simply unforgivable.
"I ask for no sympathy. I wish it was my life taken that night. I am riddled with guilt."
MacCormick jailed for six years
Judge Stuart Driver has just sentenced MacCormick to six years in prison.
He will also be banned from driving for eight years.
'Genuinely ashamed... genuinely sorry'
Defence solicitor Richard Vardon is now speaking.
He says MacCormick wanted to write a letter of apology to Mr Blackburne but his lawyers thought it was inappropriate.
He wanted to take the opportunity of today's hearing to speak to them.
Mr Vardon said: "He is genuinely ashamed he is genuinely sorry for what he has done.
"When he left the car he didn't know [Blackburne] was in the condition he was otherwise he would simply have not left the scene."
The defendant has asked his lawyer to forward no mitigation in his case.
'Permanently damaged many others'
Judge Stuart Driver says he does not want family victim impact statements read out but summarises them by saying: "The actions of the defendant caused the loss of one life but permanently damaged many others."
The court also hears of the pain they experienced in having to turn off life support.
MacCormick tested positive for cocaine and cannabis
He was five times the legal drug drive limit having tested positive for cocaine and cannabis.
MacCormick had given Mr Blackburne a lift home from a night out. He was a work colleague and was a friend of a friend.
The court heard MacCormick had taken cocaine earlier that night, and had drunk but was not over the drink drive limit.
He told police he couldn't explain his actions and that he panicked and had little memory of the collision.
MacCormick handed himself in to police
MacCormick climbed out of the window and made off.
Mr Blackburne had to be cut out of the vehicle by firefighters. He died after 13 days in intensive care.
MacCormick handed himself in to police later that morning.
'His speeds reached 90mph'
The facts of the case are being opened by prosecutor Lisa Boocock.
MacCormick was seen by police officers driving at about 50mph in a 30 zone. He was straying into the centre of the road.
Police put on their lights and tried to stop him.
He momentarily stopped but continued into a pub car park.
The police car tried to block him in the car park but instead sped off and accelerated hard, Ms Boocock says.
His speeds reached up to 90mph and he began to drive on the wrong side of the road.
He went into a left hand bend at 84mph, when he lost control, accelerated and crashed into a lamppost.
The telegraph pole snapped and the car flew into the air and flipped.
This is the car Declan was killed in
MacCormick in dock with head bowed
The sentencing is getting underway now.
MacCormick is in the dock in a grey jumper and grey trousers with his head bowed.
His defence lawyer Richard Vardon is currently making legal points to judge Stuart Driver
Both families are in court
Sentencing of Mark MacCormick is due to start soon. The families of both MacCormick and Mr Blackburne are in court for the case.
Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme