Speeding driver jailed after causing Hayes grandfather’s death

Luke Jacobs Tuesday, November 13, 2012
2:31 PM

A “career criminal” has been locked up for 12-and-a-half years after a stolen car he was driving hit and killed a grandfather in Hayes.

Felix Fletcher was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in jail. Picture: Met Police

Felix Fletcher, 39, was being pursued by police and had struck several other vehicles before the fatal collision in Moray Avenue on February 7 this year.

Following an Old Bailey trial, Fletcher, of Collingwood Road, Hayes, was convicted of causing 70-year-old Roberto Da Silva’s death by dangerous driving, and one count of burglary.

The court heard police were first alerted by a man who saw his black Volkswagen Golf being driven away. He subsequently found the keys had been taken from his home.

Shortly before 7pm, officers spotted the car driving in Dawley Road and started to chase it. It then hit a stationary Vauxhall Zafira at the junction of Botwell Lane and Church Road.

The police car also hit the Zafira, and was forced to end the pursuit.

Minutes later, paramedics told police of the fatal collision in Moray Avenue. Mr Da Silva, a retired mechanical engineer, was killed as he got out of his parked Vauxhall Frontera. A post-mortem examination showed he died from deep trauma to the spine.

Fletcher was arrested on March 7 after forensic and surveillance evidence linked him to the burglary, stolen property taken from the house and abandoned nearby and the stolen VW Golf.

He was charged two day later.

Speaking after today’s sentencing, Detective Inspector Keely Smith said: “Felix Fletcher is by his own admissions a career criminal. He lied throughout the investigation to hide his guilt and throughout the subsequent trial; he never showed any signs of remorse.

“His flagrant disregard for the law led to the untimely death of Mr Da Silva.

“The incident has left Roberto’s family devastated, I am happy that justice has been done for them and that they may now seek some closure.”