‘My child was left dying on the street: 10 years is not enough’ | UK News

A mother says the 10-year prison sentence for the hit-and-run driver who killed her son with learning disabilities was ‘too lenient’.

Phillip Bruce, 34, was hit by an uninsured driver pursued by police in the early hours of August 1.

Erald Kamberi, 21, drove off after hitting Phillip on London Road in Ware, Hertfordshire. He continued to flee on foot after crashing his car.

He was eventually arrested, sentenced to ten years in prison and banned from driving for 15 years.

Phillip’s mother Jennifer Dover said: ‘He killed my son and left him on the street.

‘It hasn’t been long enough and I can’t feel justice has been served.

‘Ten years for killing someone and leaving without caring about what happened, is not something I can accept.

“I am absolutely devastated by the loss of Phillip and especially by what happened. We will never recover from this.”

Phillip, described as a ‘gentle giant’, is a beloved son and brother living with a learning disability.

She has two jobs and enjoys an independent life.

Phillip works in the kitchen of a local nursing home as well as delivering pizzas in the evenings.

He is engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Jenna March.

Phillip is also proud to be a member of Always Bee You, a charity that enables adults with learning disabilities to socialise, gain employment opportunities and learn life skills.

Phillip’s mother, Jennifer, said: ‘Phil is very hardworking. He worked hard and was very proud of himself for doing so. I am so proud of everything he accomplished.

‘She loved her job as a kitchen assistant. The last time I saw him was when he was leaving for work and he was very happy.

‘He loved the independence his motorbike gave him, he couldn’t own a car due to his learning disabilities, but he never let anything get in his way.

‘He loved the Always Bee You audience. He would go and do karaoke and do everything with them. Coldplay is his favorite to sing.

‘There were so many happy times with Phil. He would light up any room he was in. It’s sad that he’s not here anymore.’

Kamberi was sentenced in September and will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he is considered for deportation.

Hertfordshire Police said the collision happened on London Road, near the junction of Amwell End and Station Road, on Friday, August 1 at 00.35.

A blue Honda WW moped, driven by Phillip, and a white Vauxhall Astra, driven by Kamberi, were involved. Phillip died at the scene.

Kamberi fled the scene after the collision and was arrested by police on Saturday, August 2.

Judge Sheridan told the court that Kamberi was driving ‘like a madman to avoid officers, driving at high speed, on the wrong side of the road, without a driver’s license or insurance’.

Detective Sergeant Ben Heath, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘I know nothing can repair the injuries caused by Kamberi’s actions.

“What he did has left a hole in the family after the loss of Phillip.

‘I hope seeing Kamberi sentenced to this will help ease the pain he has caused.

‘Phil was a much loved son, brother, grandson, fiancé, nephew and cousin. He was a good friend to many and will be greatly missed.

‘Kaberi’s reckless actions and lack of concern for others led to the death of a much-loved member of society.

His lack of concern and callousness is evident from the fact that he ran away after the collision. I’m glad to see him given a long sentence.’

Phillip’s mother Jennifer, who is awaiting counseling to help deal with her grief, is being supported by serious injury specialists at law firm Slater and Gordon.

Vanessa Foxley, serious injuries specialist at the law firm, said: ‘Phillip was clearly a much-loved man who loved life, and his loss has devastated his entire community.

‘Jennifer, of course, was distraught and wanted to feel justice had been served for her precious son.

‘We will support him and Phillip’s family in any way we can to help them move forward.’

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