Uber driver jailed for killing Scottish passenger making fatal three-point turn

An Uber driver has been jailed for more than seven years after killing a passenger while making a three-point turn and leaving him for dead at the scene.

Kunathilinghan Mohanthas, 48, previously pleaded guilty to murdering Christopher Hanton in Glasgow city center on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Mr Hanton, 40, had ordered a taxi via the Uber app to be picked up at George Street and his driver, Mohanthas, arrived just after 10.30pm.

The taxi driver ordered his passenger to leave shortly thereafter. Mr Hanton got out but hit the back of the vehicle as the car made a three-point turn on the road.

The driver made a “sudden turn” to the left as he turned the vehicle to leave and hit Mr Hanton, who fell and hit his head on the ground.

CCTV footage of the incident showed how Mr Hanton was hit. Mohanthas did not stop but left the spot.

Tragically, the much-loved father-of-one, from Chryston, North Lanarkshire, died from head injuries four days later on August 9.

Victim impact statements read out at the case at Kilmarnock High Court from members of Mr Hanton’s family shared the horrific toll his death had on them.

Defense counsel Mr Jackson KC told the court Mohanthas accepted “full responsibility” for the incident and showed remorse.

Lord Clark, when sentencing today, told Mohanthas: “You did not intend to kill him but this was no accident.

“I have also read victim impact statements from members of Mr Hanton’s family. They explain, in deeply emotional terms, the dire consequences your behavior has had for them.

“There is no sentence that I can pass that can even begin to ease their suffering from this terrible event.”

Mr Hanton’s family paid tribute shortly after his death, saying they were “truly devastated”. He was described as a “devoted and devoted husband to Lynne and loving father to Zak with many friends and family”.

Mohanthas, who was in custody since August 7, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 13 years and 9 months and will have to take an extended test before he can drive again.

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