Driving ban cut short to start new job

[pdV6]

www.epost.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=86423&command=displayContent&sourceNode=86420&contentPK=6074572

Bristol Evening Post said:

KILLER DRIVER WANTS TO BE A TRUCKER 11:00 - 19 June 2003 A Woman jailed for the hit-and-run killing of a pizza delivery rider has had her driving ban cut so she can start a new job as a lorry driver. Catherine Hill was jailed for two years and disqualified from driving for four after being found guilty of causing the death by dangerous driving of UWE student Luke Gale, aged 21. Luke's father described the decision to reduce the ban as "beyond civilised comprehension". Luke, a talented musician, was killed in October 1999 when Hill, who was driving between pubs with her friends, crashed head-on into his scooter after losing control in Ashley Down Road, while breaking the speed limit. She fled the scene and did not go to the police until three days later. She maintained she had not been drinking at the time of the accident. This week the judge who sat at her trial in 2001 agreed to reduce the ban by a year so that Hill, of Johnsons Road, Whitehall, can drive a lorry for the haulage firm she has set up. Judge Lester Boothman's decision to reduce Hill's driving ban by a year means she could be back behind the wheel of a vehicle from March 19 next year, instead of March 2005. She will first have to pass an extended driving test to get her 'ordinary' licence back and will then need to take two further tests before she will be able to drive an articulated lorry, Mike Farmer, regional director of the Road Haulage Association, confirmed. Bristol Crown Court was told that Hill, 23, had recently set up a road haulage firm and had two lorries, one of which was driven by an employee. Hill plans to drive the other one after taking the tests. To run a haulage firm Hill would need an operator's licence from Bristol's Traffic Commissioner's Office. The office was yesterday unable to tell the Evening Post the name under which Hill's firm was licensed. Hill refused to comment to the Post as she left court. The Post has learned that to obtain an operator's licence, an applicant must prove only that they are "reputable" and that they have financial backing of at least £4,200. Mr Farmer said that a conviction for causing death by dangerous driving would make it more difficult to obtain an operator's licence but would not preclude an application from being successful. Luke's father, Dr Bob Gale, 67, said: "If she is going to be a lorry driver I would advise everybody to stay out of her way. "It is beyond civilised comprehension that Hill can kill my son and be treated with such leniency." At the appeal hearing Hill's barrister Rupert Lowe said: "She deeply regrets the incident." Reducing the ban, Judge Boothman said: "I do bear in mind the progress she had made after coming out of prison."

WTF?

[pesty]

makes sense to me she kills someone and then gets ban cut short to get a job.

you or I get caught speeding on an empty road at 4am get a ban and lose our jobs makes perfect sense.

edited cos i'm an idiot

>> Edited by pesty on Thursday 19th June 15:46

[dazren]

I look forward to the Avon and Somerset safety Partnership going to court to get this reduction overturned. I mean road safety and reducing death and injury on the road is their reason for being, isn't it.

Might I suggest anyone currently banned and unemployed gets a mate to "employ" them as a chauffeur.

DAZ

[toad_oftoadhall]

140mph = Prison + Ban.
80mph = Ban.
Kill someone = Shortened Ban.

How many people do you have to kill before you get of scott free? 5, 20?

You can do *anything* in this country without fear except speed.

[swilly]

In her case, based on the fact she fled the scene (did she stop to offer assistance or call the ambulance i wonder?), on the assumption she was under the influence(reasonable i think and could point to why she fled), and the fact her actions led to a death, i think a life ban would be justifiable.

Whilst the consequences of your actions shouldn't necessarily decide the punishment, as often a minor indiscretion can have disproportionate consequences, this bint's action leading up to, during and after the incident do appear to warrant a total life ban.

IMuneducatedHO

[boxster]

Surely any progress she has made after coming out of prison would include taking into consideration the feelings of her victim's family and not doing something as insensitive as starting up a haulage company. The fact that she wants to in itself means she shouldn't be allowed to, as far as I'm concerned.

[yertis]

IMO she should be locked away for her looks alone

[pesty]

just a thought
she probably ahs no intention of driving a truck anyhow its probably just a trick to get her licence back ! but if she does...

couldnt the family of the deceased contact the people who would be willing to use the firm and tell them of its owners past?

I know this may lead to innocent people losing their jobs if she does indeed eploy other people so it may not be such a good thing.
I think if I was involved I would try to make it hard for her and I would use some body else to cart my stuff around if I was a client.