'His only thought was to destroy evidence': Evil hit-and-run driver left gran for dead then walked back to the scene and posed as bystander

A hit-and-run driver who killed a much-loved grandmother then tried to hide evidence by arranging for his car to be repaired in the aftermath before going on holiday has been jailed. The family of Katherine West, who was 59, said they will 'never forgive' Jack Knowles for his actions after he was locked up.

Police said he returned to the scene in the aftermath posing as a bystander as others, including an off-duty paramedic, raced to her aid. Knowles, 34, watched on, but did nothing to help.

Greater Manchester Police said Knowles drove onto Ladies Lane in Hindley, Wigan, from the roundabout with Bridge Street before his car hit Ms West. He briefly stopped, but then 'quickly' left the scene without checking on her, said a GMP spokesperson in a statement after last week's sentencing hearing at Bolton Crown Court.

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The collision happened at around 9.40pm on Friday, November 5, 2021 as Ms West was crossing Ladies Lane, close to the junction with Haworth Street.

Police said she had reached hatched markings in the centre of the carriageway, with one car slowing to allow her to cross, when Knowles drove onto the road.

"In the days following the collision, Knowles arranged to have his vehicle repaired, with the intention of hiding any evidence that he had been involved," said the statement.

"After an investigation, he was arrested and charged the following year. Katherine's condition continued to deteriorate, and she sadly died in hospital on December 16, 2021."

Knowles, of Ladies Lane, Hindley, was sentenced last Friday to 20 months in prison after earlier