Decorator who murdered grandfather in van hit-and-run jailed for 32 years
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A painter and decorator who drove into a group of people to avenge his son while he was high on drink and drugs has been jailed for a minimum of 32 years for murdering a much-loved grandfather. Martin Breeze, 57, swerved off the road and smashed into a group who had been in a disagreement with his son Shaun, 30, who had gone out to buy drugs.
Brian Darby, a popular and hard-working project manager with the RSPB, was dragged by Breeze’s Citroen Berlingo for 150 metres (492ft) and died at the scene in Ingelby Barwick, Teesside, at 11.30pm on February 9 last year. The van also collided with Kelly Jordan, who almost died, and two other young men, one of whom has since killed himself, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The Breezes did not stop at the scene but abandoned the vehicle, and later falsely claimed it had been stolen. Martin Breeze was convicted of murdering Mr Darby and four counts of attempted murder following a trial last year. His son was convicted of Mr Darby’s manslaughter and three counts of grievous bodily harm.
Both were convicted of perverting the course of justice regarding the claim that the van had been stolen. Mr Justice Jacobs sentenced Martin Breeze to life with a minimum term of 32 years and said the defendant may well die in prison. Shaun Breeze, who was diagnosed with anxiety from childhood, was jailed for 16 years.
