Remorseless killer who fled instead of helping girl, 11, as she lay dying in the road jailed for five years

An ‘arrogant and entitled’ driver who mowed down and killed an 11-year-old schoolgirl has been jailed for five years.

Andrew Cairns, 36, was driving home from work in August 2020 when he hit Ruby Cropper as she was crossing the New Road in Radcliffe, with her friend.

He then drove away from the scene and abandoned his car, before walking to his home address nearby before calling the police.

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She sadly died two days later from unsurvivable injuries.

Following a trial at the Nightingale Court, held at the Hilton Hotel due to the pandemic, earlier this year, a jury unanimously convicted Cairns, of Radcliffe, of causing death by dangerous driving.

Today (February 17) he was jailed for five years.

He had previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of Ruby by careless driving, but denied causing her death by dangerous driving.

The court heard Cairns had not expressed any 'remorse or regret' for what he had done.

Jamie Baxter, prosecuting, told the court that on August 10 2020 at around 4.30pm, 11-year-old Ruby was struck by Cairns' Suzuki Alto at ‘excessive speed’ as she crossed the road.

“Instead of waiting and pulling over, or calling an ambulance or asking for help, the defendant chose to drove away,” he said.

“The force of the collision propelled her forwards 14 metres (46 feet) from the point of impact, where she came to rest on the opposite side of the carriageway near to a bus stop.

“Notwithstanding the efforts of decent members of the public, some sat with Ruby as she lay in the road, and efforts of well trained and dedicated ambulance service and medical professionals, she passed away in