TWO thugs responsible for mowing down and killing a pensioner have escaped justice because they lied about who was driving the car.

The family of Jimmy Mulligan today spoke of their outrage after he was left to "die like a dog in the street" while his killers go unpunished.

Even though the pair admitted being in the car they could not be charged with any crime.

Widower Mr Mulligan, 73, was hit as he stood waiting for a bus with his friend Ivy Clark, 83, on the morning of May 1.

The silver Ford Sierra lost control as it sped along the busy Sunderland Road in Gateshead and ploughed into the bus - demolishing the concrete bus stop before mowing down the pair.

The two men in the car fled the scene leaving the pair lying bleeding and battered.

Mrs Clark was later released from hospital after treatment for bruising and leg injuries but doctors were unable to save Mr Mulligan and he died from severe head injuries.

The pair travelling in the Sierra were later arrested. They were questioned for causing death by dangerous driving.

They were bailed while a police investigation took place.

But now Mr Mulligan's family have been left devastated after being told by police the pair would not be brought to book.

Each admitted being in the car - but denied driving and would not admit who was behind the wheel.

After police investigations failed to turn up any witnesses the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was no evidence to charge the pair.

Mr Mulligan's devastated daughter Carolyn Lynch, 52, said: "We got a call from the officer in charge of the case to say that the they couldn't bring any charges. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"It's just disgusting, an outrage. My dad was left to die like a dog in the street and these two are walking around laughing having escaped scot-free.

"We took comfort in the fact that after our dad was tragically killed at least his killers would be punished. But this is an insult to him and us."

Mr Mulligan, a widowed former coke worker, from Gateshead, had two sons and two daughter, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A spokeswoman for the CPS said: "We know they were in the car and we know that the car was being driven dangerously.

"But we can't prove who was driving the car and there are no independent witnesses.

"It is understandably very frustrating for the family and the police.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "The CPS have reviewed the case and decided no further action will be taken against any of the accused."