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Investigation launched as to why dangerous driver was on parole

Fri, 24 Oct 2014

An independent enquiry is being launched into why a man with an “unenviable list of previous convictions” was released on parole.

30-year-old Donovan Kitching was yesterday jailed for just over 10 years for causing death by dangerous driving.

He killed 62 year old holidaymaker Gwen Valentine, who was from Hampshire, in April – she'd been retired for a week and was due to get married six weeks later.

Sentencing him Deemster Montgomerie said the case had highlighted “serious, really serious or grossly aggravating factors” against him.

Kitching, who had never held a driving licence, was arrested moments before the crash after failing a roadside breath test but assaulted the police officer and sped off before crashing and running away from the scene.

The Department of Home Affairs says it will not comment further until the enquiry has been completed.

Kitching had only been out of prison for three weeks after serving time for aggravated burglary - Ms Valentine's son Stuart says the family now wants answers: 

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Media

• Stuart Valentine