A BRADFORD man, who fled the scene of a crash on Wakefield Road after colliding with two vehicles and killing his passenger, has been jailed.

Christopher Windle, 21, formerly of Kesteven Road, Holme Wood, Bradford, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured and causing death whilst disqualified from driving.

Stephen Tordoff, 18, from Holme Wood, was a backseat passenger in the car, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Windle also pleaded guilty to two other charges of dangerous driving that took place on the same day of the collision - one on Rooley Lane and the other on Harrogate Road.

At Bradford Crown Court today, Windle was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. He was also banned from driving for seven years.

The collision occurred at 10.54pm on September 10, 2019, when a Renault Megane, driven by Windle, was in collision with a Volkswagen Transporter van on Wakefield Road, close to the junctions with Neville Road and New Hey Road.

Three other passengers who were in the car also suffered injuries.

In the wake of the fatal crash, scores of floral tributes, balloons and other personal messages and tributes were left in Mr Tordoff ’s memory - known to his friends as ‘Stizzy’.

Silver balloons spelt out “RIP S.T.”, with a large number of bouquets of flowers taped to the railings, each with heartfelt messages.

Family photos of Mr Tordoff with his relatives were also left at the scene in his memory.

Other tributes left included a bottle of Ciroc vodka, cans of Red Bull and other alcohol bottles and cans.

At the time, a relative of Mr Tordoff said: “We were pretty close. It’s a complete shock and it’s just sad. He had his whole life ahead of him. Stephen was well respected and made everyone laugh. There was never a dull moment.”

The crash which claimed the life of Mr Tordoff was the first major collision at the junction in Wakefield Road since major roadworks were completed to remove the roundabout and replace it with the current layout.

The new traffic light-controlled system was put in to replace the roundabout in a bid to improve traffic flow at the junction.

The works began in January 2019 and were completed by August of that year.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Simon Marshall, said: “I am pleased at the outcome of this case and Windle will now spend time behind bars to reflect on his actions.

“I hope this sentence sends a strong message out on the consequences of driving dangerously, though no sentence imposed by the courts can ever reflect the loss experienced by Stephen’s family and friends.”

Police Sergeant Mick Kilburn, added: “Windle’s actions on that night show that he had no consideration for anyone but himself, which sadly resulted in the loss of a young man’s life.

“The death of Mr Tordoff has had a lasting impact on his family and robbed them of a life with a much-loved son, grandson and brother.”