Tragedy - family friend death

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OP
OP
mumbo jumbo

mumbo jumbo

Senior Member
Location
Birmingham
I was at court for the "trial". Apart from an aunt (and two close family friends - one of them me), the family did not attend as they wanted to focus their emotional energy on celebrating Tom's wonderful life. I am still reeling from it. Compare 3 points and £35 with this sentence from the same court, reported in the same paper:
http://www.solihullnews.net/news/solihull-news/2013/01/18/driver-who-hits-parked-car-and-drives-off-is-fined-at-solihull-magistrates-court-105074-32617590/
Words fail me.
I know more about the case than appears in the report but wont be discussing it online out of respect to the family. I trust you'll understand.
 
Arjimlad

Arjimlad

Tights of Cydonia
Location
South Glos
Unreal.. how could this be ? Did the driver have an epileptic fit or something & lose control of his faculties ? There must be more ?
 
downfader

downfader

extimus uero philosophus
Location
'ampsheeeer
mumbo jumbo said:
I was at court for the "trial". Apart from an aunt (and two close family friends - one of them me), the family did not attend as they wanted to focus their emotional energy on celebrating Tom's wonderful life. I am still reeling from it. Compare 3 points and £35 with this sentence from the same court, reported in the same paper:
http://www.solihullnews.net/news/solihull-news/2013/01/18/driver-who-hits-parked-car-and-drives-off-is-fined-at-solihull-magistrates-court-105074-32617590/
Words fail me.
I know more about the case than appears in the report but wont be discussing it online out of respect to the family. I trust you'll understand.
Click to expand...

I cannot imagine what his poor family are going through, or you for that matter, but it broke my heart to read the news report (twitter erupted earlier over this). Sickening is the word I used to describe the sentence.

I hope local cyclists and those elsewhere can help work to raise awareness and fight for change.
 
mrandmrspoves

mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git.
Location
Narfuk
I fully appreciate everyone's outrage at this but don't see it as simply ss £35 being the price for a life. What would a more harsh sentence achieve? It would not bring the young lad backs -nor would it act as a deterrent to stop similar accidents. I know many will find my view infuriating but the driver appears to have suffered enough already. Inflicting more pain on him will do little to diminish the pain that the bereaved family are goinh through.
I do feel very qualified to make these comments as when I was 17 my Grandfather and I were hit by a car while we were out cycling. He was killed and I escaped with a smashed knee. As I was the surviving victim the police asked me whether I wanted them to pursue charges against the motorist. I chose not too. I have never regretted the decision. Revenge causes more pain than forgiveness. My thoughts and condolences are with all who have been affected by this.
 
mrandmrspoves

mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git.
Location
Narfuk
glenn forger said:
Fining a driver £35 for killing a cyclist send a very clear message that cyclists' lives are worthless. Sentences should be a deterrent. This is no deterrent whatsoever.
Click to expand...
Sorry but no sum of money as a fine will deter motorists from driving carelessly, stupidly or downright dangerously.
 
Crankarm

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
mrandmrspoves said:
I fully appreciate everyone's outrage at this but don't see it as simply ss £35 being the price for a life. What would a more harsh sentence achieve? It would not bring the young lad backs -nor would it act as a deterrent to stop similar accidents. I know many will find my view infuriating but the driver appears to have suffered enough already. Inflicting more pain on him will do little to diminish the pain that the bereaved family are goinh through.
I do feel very qualified to make these comments as when I was 17 my Grandfather and I were hit by a car while we were out cycling. He was killed and I escaped with a smashed knee. As I was the surviving victim the police asked me whether I wanted them to pursue charges against the motorist. I chose not too. I have never regretted the decision. Revenge causes more pain than forgiveness. My thoughts and condolences are with all who have been affected by this.
Click to expand...

I would suggest that your experiences would not generate the same response with others had they experienced the same as you.
 
Crankarm

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Back to the instant case this judegement has got to be the most absurd pathetic sentence I have ever read. It is disgracefully lenient. Time to complain to the Attorney General about yet another incompetent judge and Keir Starmer for the idiots at this branch of the CPS. Reps ipsa loquitor - the facts speak for themselves. The driver should be in prison and a very lengthy driving ban commences when he is released. Poor lad he was so young. Run down and the State does f**k all to the driver who did it. I would have happily gone to court to call the Prosecutor and judge incompetent halfwits for the satisfaction it would bring for standing up for decency and common sense for the family and the memory of this dead lad. Shameful result. 35 bloody quid - a total insult!
 
kedab

kedab

Veteran
Location
nr cambridge
heartfelt condolences to the the family and those that knew him - 20 is not a life lived, it was barely begun...and that 'punishment'? no words can describe how i feel about that :sad:
 
downfader

downfader

extimus uero philosophus
Location
'ampsheeeer
mrandmrspoves said:
Sorry but no sum of money as a fine will deter motorists from driving carelessly, stupidly or downright dangerously.
Click to expand...

But it would price/remove the incompetent and reckless off the road. Would you apply the same logic to an airline pilot that "made a mistake" and killed hundreds? Or a caterer that poisoned people through negligence in their hygiene practice?

People know full well they can get away with driving without care and attention, thats why we see the speeders so often
 
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