The incident occurred in a pub car park in Cramlington when Kelly, after being refused more drinks, violently attacked his girlfriend. Flanighan and Common, who were dining at the pub, intervened, leading Kelly to threaten and eventually run them over with his van. Flanighan died almost instantly, while Common suffered life-threatening injuries.
Kelly, who had drunk up to nine pints of lager and had previous convictions for drink-driving, initially denied the charges but later admitted to manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm.
The court heard tributes to Flanighan, an off-duty ambulance worker and a devoted father, whose death profoundly impacted his family and community.
Common, a childhood friend of Flanighan, expressed survivor's guilt and psychological trauma. The judge noted Kelly's lack of genuine remorse and the significant loss his actions caused to Flanighan's family.