Man jailed over dad's 'senseless' Christmas death

A driver who deliberately tried to mow a man down outside a Lancashire pub on Christmas Day before reversing over him in what police called a "senseless act of violence" has been jailed for 13 years.

Kirk Marsden, 37, was struck outside The Gate Bar and Grill on the corner of Moorgate Street in Blackburn just after 16:45 GMT on 25 December 2024. He died the next day at Royal Preston Hospital from "catastrophic internal injuries".

James Ward, of no fixed address, was unanimously convicted of manslaughter by jurors at Preston Crown Court after a two-week trial in December.

The 27-year-old was also convicted of causing death whilst driving without insurance.

Police said Mr Marsden was involved in a row with a group of people, including Ward, in which one member suffered an injury to his lip and tooth.

Ward and his friends then gathered in a 4x4 before the vehicle was driven at Mr Marsden, who jumped out of the way.

Later, while behind the wheel, Ward again drove at Mr Marsden and struck him, before the vehicle then reversed over him, causing fatal injuries.

Mr Marsden's mother told the court in a written statement: "In just 14 months, I've lost both my husband and now my youngest, Kirk, who was tragically taken from us.

"The pain is beyond words. I'm broken. My heart is shattered.

"What makes it harder is that it happened over Christmas, a time meant for family, joy and love."

She said her son had been "a devoted father" and her "heart aches for my grandchildren".

Mr Marsden's partner Leanne said: "Our whole lives have been destroyed, we are broken and struggling to cope with day-to-day living, we have lost our rock, our hero, all we have left are memories."

Det Ch Insp Bryony Midgley, of Lancashire Police, said: "James Ward killed Kirk Marsden in a senseless act of violence that has no place on the streets of Lancashire.

"While no sentence can ever make up for a life that has been taken, I hope Kirk's family take some solace knowing that the man responsible for the death of their loved one is being held accountable for his actions through this significant sentence."

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