Man jailed for 11 years following fatal collision

A man has been sentenced to 11 years after he killed another man in a collision in Stoke-on-Trent.

Leon Salt, 21, of Stoke, previously admitted causing the death of 51-year-old Christopher Deaville after he struck him with a stolen car in Penkhull. 

It happened on Newcastle Lane on 11 April 2025. Salt was driving a black Mini Cooper that had been stolen just a few days before when he hit Christopher while overtaking another car.

Christopher died at the scene and Salt continued to drive off. 

The Mini was found just over a mile away after it had been dumped in an alleyway between Birks Street and Campbell Road. It was using false plates at the time and was badly damaged.

We put out an appeal at the time to help us with our enquiries. Leon’s name came back and he handed himself in at a police station three days later, on 14 April.

Officers and staff worked tirelessly to find the evidence needed to prove Leon was behind the wheel at the time it happened. He was then charged with a series of offences and admitted them at an earlier court hearing, including causing death by dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, failing to stop after a road accident, failing to report an accident, two counts of driving without third party insurance and two counts of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.

He also admitted escaping from lawful custody, two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and two counts of handling stolen goods. These were part of separate incidents.

At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today (Friday 3 October), Salt was jailed for 11 years and banned from driving for eight years.

Detective Constable Tracey Gascoine, from our criminal investigations department, said: “This was a truly horrific incident that has left Christopher’s family absolutely devastated.

“We worked hard to put the pressure on Salt to come forward and confront what he had done, despite his attempts to flee the scene of his crime.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to deliver this outcome for Christopher’s family and Salt will now face justice for his actions.”