Life term for driver who mowed down man

A driver who deliberately mowed down and killed a man after following his cab home from a club was jailed for 18 years today.

Louis Tate, 24, of North Acton, west London, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering father-of-three Garry Frater, 32, following a retrial.

Mr Frater died on May 30 last year after being struck by a Ford Fiesta near his home in Burnt Oak, north London.

Tate had claimed the death was the result of an accident, but he was convicted on an 11-1 majority.

Mr Frater was crushed under the vehicle after it accelerated back over him and deliberately drove over him again before driving off, jurors were told.

Mr Frater and friends had been followed as they took a minicab home from a club in Watford, Hertfordshire, 10 miles away.

They had got into the cab but did not realise they had been followed until they arrived, said Mark Heywood, prosecuting.

There had been words earlier after a woman in Mr Frater's party was approached by Tate and his friend.

Mr Heywood said: "Garry Frater was run down in the road.

"That car was used as a weapon. It proved effectively lethal."

Judge Richard Hawkins jailed Tate for life with a minimum term of 18 years.