Driver faces jail following fatal collision

Above: Steve Farrish, known locally as Riverboat Steve, was a well-liked musician.

A Leek driver has admitted causing the death of popular Macclesfield musician Steven Farrish – who lived on a boat on the Macclesfield canal.

David John Leather, 32, appeared at Chester Crown Court to enter a guilty plea after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a collision involving the Ford Ranger he was driving and Mr Farrish, who was cycling on the A523 near Bosley.

During the hearing, prosecutor Anna Massells told the court that Leather had admitted driving whilst over the drink-drive limit and travelling in excess of the speed limit when his vehicle struck Mr Farrish.

Members of Mr Farrish’s family wept in the public gallery as Leather pleaded guilty and details of the incident were heard.

Miss Massells, said: “Accident investigators concluded that this was an open, straight stretch of road. They concluded that any driver would have been able to see Mr Farrish for between 12 and 15 seconds prior to colliding with him. Mr Farrish was also wearing a high visibility vest at the time of the collision.”

Adjourning sentencing until Monday, January 7, Judge Stephen Everett told Leather, of Warrington Drive, Leek, that he would be going to prison next month.

He said: “It’s not a matter of if you’re going to custody it’s a matter of how long. That’s for me to decide. And you must not think you will be out and about over Christmas with the restrictions I’m going to impose. You need to get your affairs and businesses in order as you know what to expect when I next see you.”

Judge Everett imposed a curfew on Leather from 6.30 pm to 5 am when he must remain indoors. He will also need to report to a police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 3pm and 5pm from now until his sentencing hearing.

Leather was also given an interim driving disqualification.