THE SON of a cyclist killed by a drug driver said “something died” in him on the day he found out what had happened to his “hero” father.

Adam Platten, via a statement, described his 55-year-old dad Andrew Platten as a “loving mentor” and said he would give anything to spend just five seconds with him.

Bradford Crown Court heard today that Mr Platten died almost “instantaneously” when a Vauxhall Vectra driven by Akash Rashid ploughed into him as he cycled along Cottingley Cliffe Road, Cottingley, Bingley, last July.

Rashid, 22, was trying to escape police who had seen him commit a drug deal and was travelling at about 74mph when he lost control and ploughed into Mr Platten, who was cycling on the other side of the road.

Rashid was jailed for ten years yesterday for causing Mr Platten’s death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, driving while unfit through drugs, possession and supply of cannabis, and an assault on a 17-year-old boy.

The assault took place last February. Rashid, of Brantwood Grove, Heaton, was on police bail for the assault at the time he killed Mr Platten.

In a victim impact statement read out in court by prosecutor Howard Shaw, Adam Platten said the main emotion he felt was a “heartbreak” he never thought possible.

“The man I had forever looked up to as a hero and loving mentor was lying there dead and all alone,” said Adam.

He added: “All I wanted to do was to be there with him to hug him.”

Mr Shaw, who said Mr Platten’s bicycle “disintegrated on impact” in the crash, stated that Adam would “give anything to be able to spend just five seconds with his father”.

The statement continued: “I stopped sleeping, eating and feeling. Something died in me that day in July and it is never coming back. I am not the only one.”

He added: “I won’t let this horrific trauma get the better of me. People say you get over these things. But you don’t, you just try to live with the passing and try to continue with life. I keep thinking I should be angry, but I don’t have the energy.”

The family of Mr Platten, who worked at Leeds Beckett University, released a statement after Rashid’s sentencing.

It said: “Andrew excelled as a respected and dedicated academic, with a love for art, poetry and music.

“For anyone that knew him, cycling was his true passion as he became a recognised competitive rider on the roads.

“Most importantly he was a loved friend, loyal brother and uncle, loving partner and a truly inspirational father. He will be deeply missed but he has left his stamp on all who met him. He will always be cherished and never forgotten - living on in all our hearts.

“Finally we would like to give a special thanks to PC Jez Hepworth, DC Lorna Ratcliffe and everyone else involved from West Yorkshire Police, for their continued support and hard work throughout this indescribable traumatic ordeal.”

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said: “I would first like to convey our sympathies to Andrew’s family, who are still coming to terms with their sad loss.

“I hope they will take some comfort in knowing that the man who was responsible for his sudden and needless death, Akash Rashid, is now behind bars.

“Rashid’s actions in trying to evade police by driving dangerously resulted in tragedy and I hope he will use his time in prison to reflect on these reckless actions and the devastation he has caused. I also hope this will serve as a reminder to others of what can happen when vehicles are driven in this way.”

The court heard that Rashid tried to run from the scene of the crash but stopped when he saw Mr Platten’s body.

Prosecutor Howard Shaw said that during a struggle with police, Rashid “screamed out ‘I just killed someone’”.

Judge David Hatton described Rashid’s driving as “grotesque” and his speeds were “grossly excessive”.

A letter from Rashid, who had cannabis in his system at the time of the crash, was read out in court by his representative Shufqat Khan. It said: “Nothing will bring back the cyclist I had the accident with. But I still want to say sorry to his family and I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

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