Gary Gallacher, 37, has been jailed for six years and nine months for killing grandfather James Craig in a hit-and-run in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Gallacher was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday 11 November 2026 after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for 12 years and five months.

Mr Craig, 70, a maintenance engineer, was struck by a hired Mercedes A-Class on 27 October 2024 as he walked home from his local pub after midnight. He never recovered from his injuries. His family described him after his death as a “beloved dad and papa”.

Drink, drugs and a mobile phone at the wheel

The court heard that Gallacher had spent the night drinking bottles of Desperado beer and Buckfast tonic wine after picking up associates in the hired car. Prosecutor Naomei Warner told the court that Gallacher was using his mobile phone while driving, trying to show a front-seat passenger something about boxing, while the passenger fiddled with the car controls to connect a phone to the radio.

As Mr Craig began to cross the road, the passenger shouted at Gallacher to move, having seen him in front of the car. A witness who had spotted the vehicle expected the driver to slow down, but said he did not brake at all or make any attempt to swerve. The impact was described in court as “quite substantial”, and Gallacher did not stop his vehicle.

“I can’t stop. I’m on the run”

After the collision Gallacher kept driving and was heard telling his passengers: “F*** this, I can’t stop. I’m on the run.” The passengers were said to be upset, and Gallacher at first refused to stop to let them out before eventually dropping them off through the night.

The car was later returned to the hire company with damage to the bumper, mirror and door. Diagnostic data showed it had been driven with a significantly or completely deflated tyre for a significant part of the hire period, and that the damage was present at the time of the fatal collision.

Arrest, guilty plea and previous record

Gallacher was arrested in early February 2025 over a separate matter. He admitted he had not tried to get help for Mr Craig, but denied being under the influence of drink or drugs, claiming he had taken prescribed medication.

The court heard Gallacher already had previous road traffic convictions, including two for dangerous driving, and had been jailed in 2017 for his role in the kidnap of a gym boss outside his home. Lord Renucci told him: “You have pled guilty to an extremely serious charge. No sentence can in any way make up for the loss suffered by Mr Craig’s family and friends as a result of his premature death at his hands. You have an appalling record including two for dangerous driving. Mr Craig was a vulnerable pedestrian and you did not stop afterwards even when you were asked to do so by passengers.”

The six-year-and-nine-month term will begin only once Gallacher completes a four-year sentence he is already serving for an unrelated offence. Emergency crews attended the scene on the night of the collision, but Mr Craig, who had injuries to his head and body, did not recover.

Frequently asked questions

How long was Gary Gallacher jailed for? Six years and nine months, to run after a four-year sentence he is already serving for an unrelated offence.

Who was the victim? James Craig, 70, a maintenance engineer from Hamilton, described by his family as a “beloved dad and papa”.

Where was Gallacher sentenced? At the High Court in Glasgow, by Lord Renucci, on 11 November 2026.

Sources: Glasgow Times and BritBrief.