Suffolk Police have said that only the driver of a car involved in a hit and run in Lowestoft will truly know what happened after he was jailed for 15 months.

Graham Brooks, 60, was driving the car which hit 86-year-old Brian Mitchell on High Street, Lowestoft, but failed to stop in November 2017.

Mr Mitchell later died in hospital three days before Christmas.

On Friday, Brooks – of Max Carter Close, Worstead, near North Walsham – pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, failing to stop and failing to report a collision, and also making a false statement to obtain insurance.

The court heard that for nine months after the incident Brooks denied he was involved, telling police he had not been at the scene, and that the damage to his car had been caused by another incident.

He was sentenced to a total of 15 months for the offences on Friday.

Sgt Scott Lee-Amies, from Suffolk Police's serious collision investigation team, said: 'Having suffered such a loss in these tragic circumstances I do hope that Friday's result provides some measure of closure to Mr Mitchell's family.

'The truth is that only Graham Brooks knows what took place on the night in question. He has been repeatedly asked to explain what happened and has failed to do so, instead attempting to hinder and mislead the police investigation and absolve himself of blame. He did this throughout the process, as well as protesting his innocence and complaining to his Member of Parliament.'

He added: 'Our specialist collision investigation officers were able to forensically link his vehicle to the collision and track Brooks' movements that night, using automatic number plate recognition, CCTV and mobile phone analysis.

'Having already suffered an horrific loss, the time-consuming nature of this work and lack of assistance from Brooks, meant that the victim's family were caused further, unnecessary upset.

'I would like to commend Mr Mitchell's family for the dignity that they have shown throughout this difficult time.

'I would also like to thank DC Barry Teare, PC Callum Walchester and Sergeant Adrian Hales, whose diligent investigation into the full circumstances of the collision ultimately led to Graham Brooks being charged with these offences.'