Driver 'full of drink and drugs' who killed 'beloved' grandfather in hit-and-run jailed

A driver described as “full of it on drink and drugs” who killed a grandfather in a hit-and-run has been jailed for almost seven years.

Gary Gallacher, 37, was also using his mobile phone moments before he struck James Craig in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, on October 27, 2024.

The well-loved 70-year-old never recovered following the collision.

Gallacher was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He had earlier pled guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

The serial criminal already had previous road traffic convictions and had also been jailed in 2017 for his role in the kidnap of a gym boss outside his home.

Lord Renucci sentenced Gallacher to six years and nine months for this latest offence.

The term will start at the end of a four-year stint behind bars that he is already serving for an unrelated offence.

The court earlier heard how Gallacher had picked up associates in a hired Mercedes A Class before the fatality.

Over the night, he had downed bottles of Desperado beer and Buckfast tonic wine.

Mr Craig, a maintenance engineer, had been at his local pub and walking home after midnight.

Prosecutor Naomei Warner said: “He began to cross the road and, as he did so, the Mercedes driven by Gallacher struck him, projecting him onto the ground.

“Gallacher did not stop his vehicle.”

A witness who had spotted the vehicle expected the driver to slow down, but the driver did not brake at all or attempt to swerve to avoid Mr Craig.

Ms Warner added the impact was described as “quite substantial”.

The court was told that before the collision, a passenger was in the front playing with the controls, trying to connect his phone to the radio,

Gallacher was using his mobile phone while driving and was trying to show this person something on the device related to boxing.

Gallacher at the time was said to be “full of it on drink and drugs.”

The passenger had shouted at Gallacher to move, having seen Mr Craig in front of the car.

The court was told that he continued to drive after the collision and was heard stating: “F*** this, I can’t stop. I’m on the run.”

All the passengers were said to be “upset”. Gallacher initially refused to stop to let them out, but they were eventually dropped off through the night.

The car was returned to the hire company with damage to the bumper, mirror and door.

Ms Warner added: “Diagnostics data revealed the vehicle had been driven with a significantly or completely deflated tyre for a significant portion of the period of hire and that damage was present when driven at the point of the fatal collision.”

Emergency crews arrived at the scene to help Mr Craig, but he did not recover. He had injuries to his head and body.

After his death, Mr Craig’s family described him as a “beloved dad and papa.”

Gallacher was arrested in early February 2025 for a separate matter. He admitted he had not tried to get help for Mr Craig, but denied being under the influence of drink or drugs, claiming he had taken prescribed medication.

Lord Renucci told Gallacher: “You have pled guilty to an extremely serious charge. No sentence can in any way make up for the loss suffered by Mr Craig’s family and friends as a result of his premature death at his hands.

“You have an appalling record, including two for dangerous driving. Mr Craig was a vulnerable pedestrian, and you did not stop afterwards even when you were asked to do so by passengers.”

Gallacher was also banned from the road for 12 years and five months.