Driver who killed Billingham runner as he crossed road in Dubai jailed for just two months

20 Feb 2014 20:14

Driver, reported to have been drunk when he hit Gavin Duffy, also ordered to pay £24,484 'blood money' - compensation to Mr Duffy’s family

Gavin Duffy

A DRIVER who killed a Billingham man as he crossed the road in Dubai is reported to have been jailed for just two months.

The driver, who is reported to have been drunk when he hit Gavin Duffy, was also ordered to pay £24,484 “blood money” - compensation to Mr Duffy’s family.

Mr Duffy died on November 23 last year when he was hit by a car in the United Arab Emirates city.

The 29-year-old respected runner and fundraiser was on holiday visiting friends when the tragedy happened.

Reports from The National website state that a 31-year-old Brazilian man appeared at Dubai Traffic Court on Tuesday where he was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, causing a person’s death and fleeing the scene of an accident.

It is reported that he was jailed for two months, had his driving licence suspended for six months and ordered to pay Dh150,000 - £24,484 - “blood money” which is compensation to Mr Duffy’s family.

Prosecutors immediately filed an appeal against the sentence. The first hearing will be on March 6.

The report states that the driver fled the scene after Mr Duffy was hit but a passerby noted down the car licence plate number and informed the police.

The witness, from Lebanon, is reported to have said the driver did not even brake after the accident.

The driver is also reported to have tried to leave the country following the accident.

He went to his workplace in Jumeirah Lake Towers to pick up his passport and then headed to Dubai International Airport.

He was arrested in the duty-free area before he could board a 4.20am flight to Beirut.

Boro fan Mr Duffy, a quantity surveyor, was an accomplished marathon runner and was a member of Marsh House Harriers.

Following his death relatives and friends launched an appeal to repatriate his body back to Teesside.

They raised a staggering £10,000.

The remainder of the money was given to Mr Duffy’s favourite charities - The Butterwick Hospice, The Jo and Mya Fund, Zoe’s Place baby hospice and Dementia UK.

Following Mr Duffy’s death his parents Michael and Susan paid tribute to him describing him as “happy, kind and caring person who liked his independence and loved travelling.”