Man jailed for killing woman in Bournemouth hit-and-run

Shaun Hall, 40 and of Derby, was convicted at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, December 22, last year of the manslaughter of 40-year-old Clare Gafan.

Appearing back in the dock at the same court on Friday, January 6 he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for the crime.

The court heard an arrangement had been made between Hall and a man to meet in Queen’s Road on Friday, October 22, 2021.

Hall was driving a black Audi A4 and met the man later that evening. Hall snatched a container from the man and drove off from the scene with the passenger door still open.

The following day the same man was in Suffolk Road with a group of people, including Ms Gafan, and noticed the same Audi drive down the road. The man went to speak to the driver about the incident the previous evening.

As Hall, who was stationary in his car, noticed the man approaching him, he suddenly accelerated and drove towards the group.

All apart from Ms Gafan were able to leap out of the way. The car collided with her and she sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. She died in hospital on Monday, October 25.

Clare Gafan (Image: Dorset Police)

• Read more: Family tribute to 'loving' woman after her killer is jailed

Hall immediately drove away from the scene and did not stop or notify the emergency services of the incident.

Dorset Police received a report from the ambulance service and a full investigation was launched by detectives into the circumstances of the collision.

Meanwhile, Hall drove out of Bournemouth and because his car was damaged, parked in a secluded car park where he waited until darkness to travel out of the county.

Following enquiries, Hall’s black Audi A4 was located and stopped in the Northamptonshire area in the early hours of Sunday, October 24, and he was arrested.

Shaun Hall (Image: Dorset Police)

A 42-year-old woman from Derby who was previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender was released from the investigation without charge and will face no further police action.

Hall also admitted a dwelling burglary in Southampton that was committed between October 15 and October 18, 2021, and was sentenced to two years in prison for that offence. This sentence will be served consecutively to his jail term for the manslaughter offence, making an overall sentence of 14 years.

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