A FORMER Darlington driver who lied to police after knocking down a pedestrian, who later died, has been jailed for six months.

Graphic designer Michael Proctor had pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after the accident.

Proctor, 32, was brought up in Darlington where his parents still live, but moved to Leam Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, because of his job.

In January, he was found not guilty of causing the death of Simon Hayes by dangerous driving, which he had denied, but guilty of careless driving.

Proctor admitted failing to stop after the accident in May last year and failing to report it.

Warwick Crown Court heard Proctor was driving home from a nightclub in Coventry, in the West Midlands, at 3am as 20-year-old Mr Hayes crossed the road.

Mr Hayes stopped in the middle of the road to wait for a car to pass, but was knocked down by Proctor's Renault Clio car, which drove off.

Proctor parked in a side street near his home and hid in bushes for five hours, which David Jones, prosecuting, suggested was to escape being breath-tested.

Proctor was traced by police but claimed he had been at a Leamington club and then walked a girl home.

Officers were not able to speak to him again until the end of the month because he went to his parent's home in Darlington to hide and get replacement parts for his damaged car.

He later admitted driving the car but falsely claimed Mr Hayes was already lying in the road and looked as if he had been beaten up when he drove past.

When told of the evidence of the driver who had been travelling in the opposite direction, he accepted Mr Hayes had been standing, but said he only saw him at the last moment.

Matthew Barnes, defending Proctor, said: "Because of the person he is, the impact of these proceedings on him is significant, and the fear of losing his liberty is particularly keen. It would have a profound effect on him.