A man who was killed in a hit-and-run on New Year’s Day in 2022 was left barefoot miles from home with no phone and no money by police, a court has been told.

Gareth Roper was killed by a motorist driving without a licence three miles from his home in Bamfurlong, near Wigan, who later handed himself into police the same day.

Jamie Evans, 30, of no fixed address, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

In the early hours of the morning on New Year’s Day 2022, police attended the home of Mr Roper, after his wife reported he was “acting somewhat strangely”.

Bolton Crown Court was told his children were woken up during the disturbance and Mr Roper was taken away by police “to prevent any further difficulties”.

Sara Hague, for the prosecution, said Mr Roper was then de-arrested nine minutes later and left outside an Iceland store in Platt Bridge, Wigan.

“He was left barefoot and without any money or his mobile phone,” she said.

“The officers who left him at the scene are still under investigation.”

CCTV from before the collision just after 4.15am showed Mr Roper walking down the middle of the road on Lily Lane in Bamfurlong, with his jumper around his waist while whistling and clapping, the prosecutor said.

He was then hit by Evans, who was believed to be travelling at 55pmh in a 30mph zone, and was found dead at the scene.

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In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Roper’s wife Rachel said: “Nobody expects that the police will come to your door and tell you your husband has been killed in a hit-and-run.

“He was only taken away about 45 minutes earlier, and now I was being told he was dead.

“I miss Gareth so much.

“I want to tell the driver he has ruined a happy family with a hard-working dad. He has taken all that away.

“He has shown no remorse. He just doesn’t care.”

Evans was released on bail following his arrest in January 2022, but drove again four months later and sped away from a police car, the court was told.

He was jailed for 26 weeks after he was convicted of dangerous driving, having no licence and failing to provide a breath test.

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