A hit-and-run driver who caused the death of a pedestrian in Cliffe has been jailed.
Jordan Bannon collided with 27 year old Benjamin Allen on Station Road at around 2.10am on 18 December 2021.
With Bannon failing to stop, Mr Allen was found by a passing member of public and declared deceased at the scene by paramedics shortly afterwards. Following a search of the village by officers, a damaged grey Volkswagen Scirocco was located outside Bannon’s Church Street address. Car parts left at the scene of the collision were later matched to the vehicle.
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Entry was forced and Bannon, who had gone to sleep after the collision, was arrested at 5.05am. The 33 year old was charged with causing death by careless driving and causing death whilst unlicensed, both of which he denied at court.
Jailed
A Maidstone Crown Court trial followed in March 2026 with the jury finding Bannon guilty of the offences.
He was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to 1 year and 8 months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 3 years and will require an extended re-test.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kayleigh Archer commented that the tragic loss of life could have been avoided had Bannon paid proper care and attention. She noted that his decision to drive that night cut an innocent life short, leaving a family without a beloved son and brother, and leaving a profound impact on the local community where Mr Allen was a much-loved teacher. She added that leaving a victim dying in the road demonstrated an utter lack of humanity, and that Bannon’s refusal to accept culpability showed a complete absence of remorse, expressing hope that the custodial sentence brings some measure of closure to those affected.