Man jailed for 22 years for deliberate hit-and-run

A 46-year-old British man was on Tuesday sentenced to 22 years in prison for the manslaughter of Ioannis Polykarpou, who was fatally injured on January 21, 2023, when he was deliberately run down.

The British driver pleaded guilty in March, after charges of premeditated murder were dropped and replaced by manslaughter.

The criminal court, which convened in Paphos, heard that the two had argued earlier outside a nightclub.

Later on, while the victim was riding his motorcycle along Tombs of the Kings avenue, the British man, driving a car, deliberately knocked him off his bike and fled the scene.

The following morning, the 45-year-old was spotted by members of the CID driving his car which showed damages to the front that had been sprayed over.

He was given a narcotest which came out positive.

He was then taken to a police station where he was arrested for the premeditated murder of Polycarpou on the basis of a court order.

Police said the two men had argued in the past.

The driver has remained in custody at the central prisons since his arrest.