Careless driver avoids jail over fatal crash near Alresford (From Hampshire Chronicle)
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Careless driver avoids jail over fatal crash near Alresford
2:23pm Monday 5th December 2011 in Alresford
Careless driver avoids jail over fatal; crash near Alresford
A HAMPSHIRE man has avoided jail after admitting causing a fatal car crash that killed a motorcyclist near Alresford.
Stephen Hunt, 21, failed to spot Ian Kingham on his Harley Davidson when he pulled out of Gascoigne Lane onto the A31 at Ropley on June 22, Winchester Crown Court heard yesterday.
Mr Kingham, 54, from St Helier, Jersey, was riding home from a motorcycle rally. He was killed instantly when Hunt turned his Suzuki Alto into his path.
Hunt, of Fairfield Green, Four Marks, a student of Sparsholt College,pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
Sentencing, Judge Keith Cutler, the Recorder of Winchester, said on Friday: “It was a wet gloomy afternoon, June 22, you were driving your car onto the A31, turning right from that lane and you didn’t see the bike coming towards you from your right.
“You drove into the path of the motorcycle and for some reason you just didn’t see it.. As a result there was an accident and Ian Kingham was tragically and instantly killed.
“At that moment a great hole was left in the lives of those who knew him. He was a man at the peak of his life, happy, successful and with so much to give.
“I’m completely satisfied the true punishment is the knowledge that you have ended a good man’s life and that will be with you for the rest of your life.”
The judge imposed a community order with the requirement for Hunt to do 100 hours unpaid work.
Richard Martin, mitigating, said many people had provided references for Hunt including his scout leader, vicar, lecturer, driving instructor and his uncle and aunt.
“They all speak of someone who is not just of good character in the lawyers’ sense but someone of positive good character. He is a kind, caring, good young man.
“The effect this tragic accident has had on him and his family is profound. He feels genuine remorse. He hasn’t taken to drink and drugs, he has got well and truly stuck into his studies.”
Mr Martin said that after Sparsholt College Hunt hopes to do a degree course and eventually work for the RSPCA.
The court heard that Hunt who wears glasses had only been driving for around 18 months at the time of the crash.
The judge also banned Hunt from driving for 12 months.
Comments(4)
Goldenwight
says...
12:20pm Tue 6 Dec 11
The real sentence is that this guy has to live with this incident for the rest of his life. A prison sentence wouldn't have done any good here, any sort of probation order would have been completely pointless.
I would however have liked to have seen some sort of compensation order made in favour of the victim's family- preferably with income related payments spread over about 20 years to ensure that this guy doesn't forget what he did.
gypsum
says...
12:35pm Thu 8 Dec 11
I went to the Sophies Gift Ball in 2008, about a young girl sophie with terrible brain injuries as a passenger in a car accident. The driver got 12 month ban and a £160 fine. He's never visited, contacted or asked how she or the family are.
He has basically forgotten, whilst the family are living with it daily. I cant excuse this and it mortifies me these kids get away with so often..
I fully support a payment order of some 20 years so they NEVER forget about it. I also propose they do something with these people and their families afterwards regardless of how difficult it is for them, almost like a probation order!
Goldenwight
says...
1:05pm Sat 10 Dec 11
Or perhaps he is just a heartless monster, as all men appear to be. Your call. Remember that God loves you regardless.
Rocket123 says...
1:06am Tue 6 Dec 11
A mans life is taken because a 21 year old cant drive and watch out for other vehicles.
100 hours - you would get more for shoplifting.
Dreadful - retire the judge now.