AN UNLICENSED hit and run driver whose reckless actions caused the death of a teenager has been branded “a coward” by a judge.

Daniel Beck drove a BMW car into Liam Simpson while the 18-year-old was walking along Well Hill in Holywell.

Beck – who Mold Crown Court was told had an “appalling record” with 15 convictions including motoring offences – was speeding at more than twice the road limit.

He had been spotted driving recklessly and terrorising pedestrians shortly before the fatal collision.

He fled the scene and in a bid to avoid the consequences he later checked into Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral to get treatment for his own injuries.

Sentencing Beck to eight years in prison, Judge Niclas Parry told him: “You have destroyed a family by killing their 18-year-old son.

"You chose to use your motor vehicle as a toy.

“When you saw what had happened on the road and knowing your passenger had been injured you left the scene.

"You made the cowardly decision to flee.”

Prosecutor Ffion Tomos said earlier that day Beck had tried frightening a group of friends walking on Well Hill by driving up to them at speed, skidding and beeping before pulling away.

Liam Simpson was walking on his own on the same road en route to a birthday celebration when he was struck from behind.

Traffic investigators determined Beck’s speed was around 59mph to 61mph when the limit was 30mph.

The teenager suffered “catastrophic” injuries and medics said he would have died instantly.

Afterwards Beck ran into a nearby wooded area, even though his passenger Tommy Davies was trapped in the BMW.

Beck claimed he had suffered a quad bike injury when he, himself, went to hospital.

Illegal amounts of cocaine and diazepam were detected in his system, but police investigating officers could not determine whether he had consumed them before or after the crash on September 30 last year.

Beck was arrested three days later and after refusing to comment he claimed he was driving within the speed limit and had no recollection of running away.

Beck, 29, of Y Gerddi, Maes Pennant, Mostyn, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence and without insurance.

His barrister Simon Parry said: “He is genuinely and deeply sorry for the damage he has done.”

Beck was also banned from driving for an extended period of nine years.

Liam’s mother, Vicky Simpson, described her son as “an amazing role model to his young brothers” in a victim impact statement in which she revealed she was 16 weeks pregnant at the time she had to identify her son's body.

"He (Beck) chose to drive dangerously. We have to live with a life sentence," she said.

Afterward the sentencing hearing Mrs Simpson said: “There will never be enough justice for what Daniel Beck has taken from us.

"We will miss Liam forever and my broken heart will never mend.

“I will forever be grateful to the Holywell community for all the support and kindness they showed me and my family.

"I am thankful to Holywell Football Club for making the Liam Simpson suite a lovely memorial. Knowing he will always hold a special place there and continue to inspire others with his values brings me so much comfort.”

Detective Inspector Eleri Thomas, of North Wales Police, said: "Daniel Beck is behind bars where he belongs.

"The selfish and reckless behaviour of Daniel Beck has robbed a young man of his life and devastated his family.”