Cycle killer walks free from court.

[Digital_Cowboy]

I think it means you can't just shoot idiots who break the law

Can we if we use a paintball gun?!?

 

[Digital_Cowboy]

It's not even my point of view, just things to consider

Leaving the scene of an accident is barely a crime at all in the eyes of the court and police, people get off that with the weakest of excuses, 'I panicked', 'I was frightened', etc etc

If he said he didn't know he had an accident he can hardly leave it can he, he doesn't how much later he drove past in the other direction, some time later at a guess, he can argue he had no idea that was him

He may even have genuinely thought he'd hit 'roadside furniture'

Another common excuse over on this side of the pond is "I thought I hit a deer." Or some other type of animal.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Can we if we use a paintball gun?!?

I wish we could.

 

[Digital_Cowboy]

I don't really care if he did black out or was under stress. He knew what he had done when the police caught up with him. I don't feel comfortable with a precedent that allows drivers to walk free by claiming 'temporary blackout' and 'stress'. Plenty of murderers claim the same thing and they may well be telling the truth too, but nobody thinks it mitigates their crime. I'm not suggesting he went out of his way to murder the cyclist, but I do agree with the other posters who say that the legal system seems to start with the default position that these are 'accidents' and then works forward from there. Until that changes cars will continue to left hook, right hook and drive too close to cyclists with the inevitable 'accidental' consequences.

This is true, there is way TOO long a list of "excuses" that people use to get out of trouble, everything from:

• I didn't see him/her
• S/he swerved into my path
• I thought I hit a deer (or other animal)
• It was an "accident"
• I lost control of my car
• I blacked out/fell asleep at the wheel
• I've been under a lot of stress
• I've been sick
• It was dark/The sun was in my eyes

If we stop and think about it, the first two should be taken down by the police as an admission of guilt. As isn't it the primary job of a person driving to make sure that they see obstacles in the road in front of them?

 

[Digital_Cowboy]

I ask again. I wonder if he is a member of the funny handshake brigade?

What is the "funny handshake brigade?"

 

[Digital_Cowboy]

I wish we could.

How about a super soaker?

 

[Cardiac]

It's not the same circumstances, but I am reminded of this case... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/3535778.stm

In 2004 a very nice chap at the company I worked for and his wife and kids were wiped out by a lorry driver who to all intents and purposes had fallen asleep (or did not look where he was going). A £1000 fine, or £250 a head.

Sickening isn't the word. Don't know what is, to be honest.

 

[rustychisel]

What is the "funny handshake brigade?"

Is that you, Ken S?

the 'funny handshake' is an allusion to Freemasons and Freemasonry membership. Something like a secret society of Elk Lodges and furtive signals between members. I could tell you more but then I'd have to kill you :-(

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Where does he live?

I.... err, I mean a 'friend' will go round to his house and show him exactly what we all think of him.

 

[gb155]

Watch out locals, we do know where he lives ?

Here !

Bloody Hell !

 

[400bhp]

It isn't in isolation, which is the entire point.

Your point regarding leaving the scene was in isolation.

Well he's not explained why he shouldn't be going to prison for leaving the scene. He just said that it was barely a crime in the eyes of the law. Whether or not you believe the case for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving with a very generous interpretation of mitigating circumstances it still leaves leaving the scene which alone he should be going to prison for.

 

[fossyant]

Bloody Hell !

A literal stones throw !

How about a midnight raid and put 'Look out for cyclists' posters on every lamp post in the street ?

 

[Riding in Circles]

The judicial system has once again shown that it has total disdain for cyclists.

 

[SportMonkey]

A literal stones throw !

How about a midnight raid and put 'Look out for cyclists' posters on every lamp post in the street ?

Ahem, we could buy a load of cheap bikes from eBay, bend them, and put them in his front garden...

[Edit]

Whatever, I'll be up for a midnight wait and can organise printing.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

What is the "funny handshake brigade?"

The Masons for eg.