Celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman has made a controversial claim that a grandad knocked down and killed by a speeding driver could have been saved by reflective clothing.

His controversial comments come after one of his firm's clients, young motorist Simon Martins, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to causing the death of Hyman Steinberg, a grandfather to 54 children.

The outspoken solicitor, nicknamed 'Mr Loophole', said Mr Steinberg, 82, was ‘invisible’ to Martins, who had sent a text message from behind the wheel minutes before the collision.

Martins, 24, pleaded guilty to causing prominent Rabbi Mr Steinberg’s death by careless driving – and a court heard he was driving at up to 42mph on a 30mph road.

But Mr Freeman, who made his name defending celebrities from driving charges, believes the grandfather could have been saved by a reflective ‘vest, arm bands or belt’.

And he called on the government to ‘require’ pedestrians to ‘light up’ at night.

Mr Steinberg was walking to Saturday prayers at a synagogue in Salford at the time.

Mr Freeman, whose firm represented Martins, said after the case: “At the time of the accident Mr Steinberg was wearing the traditional dress of many orthodox Jewish men, namely black hat, black suit and black overcoat.

“I’m not suggesting everyone must wear a hi-vis jacket, but something reflective that would give them a visible presence, such as a vest, arm bands or belt.

"Pedestrians along with motorists and cyclists all share road space, and in my view therefore must assume some responsibility to ensure their visibility.

“Sadly, because he was ‘invisible’, Mr Steinberg has lost his life.

“Even many dog owners feel compelled to put flashing collars around their animal’s necks so they can be seen at night – yet at the same time they ignore their own safety.”

Mr Steinberg, of Stanley Road, Broughton, Salford, was walking to the Ohel Torah synagogue on Leicester Road, Broughton, on a dark and rainy December night in 2012.

He had ‘almost got to the pavement’ when he was hit, Manchester Crown Court heard.

The force of the collision ‘lifted him into the air’ and he died from his injuries.

Martins, of Fairhaven Avenue, Whitefield, claimed he had not seen Mr Steinberg until it was too late, then applied his brakes and tried to swerve.

He was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 300 hours of community service. He was banned from driving for 15 months.

Gary Bell QC, defending, said Martins was ‘haunted’ by the death.

The court heard that he had been blessed by Mr Steinberg’s brother when he was born.

Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for road safety campaign Brake, said: "Mr Freeman's argument here is really beside the point.

"There is evidence to suggest that a mobile phone call continues to distract you for some time even after you come off the phone.

"In this case, the driver was speeding as well and so was taking two different illegal risks.

"Ultimately, the driver of a motor vehicle is in command of something that can kill somebody if not driven with due care and attention, and so has the first and foremost responsibility to protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

"There are things vulnerable road users can do to minimise their risk, but at the end of the day as the driver you have primary responsibility to make sure you are driving in a legal and safe manner to make sure you aren't putting anyone in danger in the first place."

Family pay tribute to 'quintessential family man'

The family of tragic Rabbi Hyman Steinberg paid a moving tribute to a ‘quintessential family man’.

Born in Gateshead, he moved to Manchester in 1995 after he married his wife, Ruth Feingold. He had already completed his rabbinical ordination.

In a series of heartfelt statements read to the court, his daughter Roselyne revealed he ran a curtain manufacturing company in Manchester for 50 years and volunteered for a local Jewish funeral service, where he ‘gave freely of his time often at the drop of a hat to perform this ultimate final kindness for the deceased’.

After retiring in 2005, Mr Steinberg and his wife raised funds for poor brides and grooms and also invested heavily in education for the young. He helped raise thousands of pounds for the Gateshead Talmudical College and the Shaarei Torah Manchester Talmudical College.

His daughter added: “It was not in any way at the expense of his family. He has seven children, 54 grandchildren and close to 50 great grandchildren. He was the quintessential family man.

“He was a doting husband, father and grandfather and the patriarch of the extended family, including cousins who looked up to him as the prototype of a gentleman worthy of emulation. It is a loss that will be forever felt.”