Dad was killed after cops left him barefoot and miles from home

Killer driver awaits sentence after court hears how troubled victim had been arrested then abandoned with no phone

-  ASHLIE BLAKEY

 

A DAD was killed by a hit-and-run driver after police left him barefoot three miles from his home.

Gareth Roper was arrested by police at his home in the early hours of New Year's Day 2022 after his wife reported he was "acting somewhat strangely".

Bolton Crown Court heard the 35-year-old's children were woken during the disturbance and that Mr Roper was taken away to "prevent any further difficulties".

But just nine minutes later, the dad-of-six was de-arrested and left outside the Iceland store in Platt Bridge in Wigan.

He was left barefoot, without his phone and with no money.