A DRIVER who knocked down and killed a pedestrian in Cookstown has been fined and given community service.
Samuel Chestnut (31) of Moss Drive in Antrim admitted two charges in connection with the incident that occurred on October 1 2017.
He admitted causing the death of Stephen Wilkinson (26) due to careless driving and also causing the death while being an uninsured driver.
Derry Crown Court heard the deceased had been drinking in Cookstown and around 1.30 he had left a local club and walked across the road. Several witnesses said they saw the deceased in the middle of the road.
A taxi driver said he was in the area and the next thing he saw was "Mr Wilkinson go up in the air".
The defendant told police at the scene that the deceased had "come out in front of him" and despite braking he hit him.
Judge Philip Babington said forensic evidence suggested Chestnut was driving faster than the 30mph limit when the accident occurred but there were no drink or drugs involved. The same forensic scientist said that it would have been difficult to see the deceased until a "very short time prior to impact".
Chestnut was sentenced to 100 hours community service, fined £500 and disqualified for 12 months.