In Court At Last!
Discussion
The guy who killed my friend is due in court on the 31st May 07, after all this time (happpened on 9 June 06). We where on a ride out in Cornwall last year when a lad in a white van decided to turn right without indicating and no brake lights, my friend died at the scene with us around him.
Before mentioned white van man left the scene and made his way to a pub, once caught it became apparent, no MOT, faulty brake lights and indicators (which he denyed saying bike caused the damage, forensics proved otherwise), however he denyed everything said friend was speeding (which he was'nt), he had been drinking as well but done the old, "started drinking after routine". Just booked the day off to go down and watch the sentencing! And then DAves family can put some closure on all this.
Positives out of all this.
1. Joined PistonHeads
2. No longer overtake on junctions no matter what the car looks like its going to do.
3. Ride country lanes at 80%
4. Kept my bike, so nearly sold it!
Before mentioned white van man left the scene and made his way to a pub, once caught it became apparent, no MOT, faulty brake lights and indicators (which he denyed saying bike caused the damage, forensics proved otherwise), however he denyed everything said friend was speeding (which he was'nt), he had been drinking as well but done the old, "started drinking after routine". Just booked the day off to go down and watch the sentencing! And then DAves family can put some closure on all this.
Positives out of all this.
1. Joined PistonHeads
2. No longer overtake on junctions no matter what the car looks like its going to do.
3. Ride country lanes at 80%
4. Kept my bike, so nearly sold it!
Edited by 996 sps on Monday 21st May 11:27
Good to hear about the closure of what must have been a difficult time.
Thanks for sharing the lesson in attitude adjustment. I am so happy that you didn't give up the bike. Sadly, accidents do happen; it is what we are all willing to learn from others and our own mistakes that make the difference.
Thanks for sharing the lesson in attitude adjustment. I am so happy that you didn't give up the bike. Sadly, accidents do happen; it is what we are all willing to learn from others and our own mistakes that make the difference.
veetwin said:
Good to hear about the closure of what must have been a difficult time.
Thanks for sharing the lesson in attitude adjustment. I am so happy that you didn't give up the bike. Sadly, accidents do happen; it is what we are all willing to learn from others and our own mistakes that make the difference.
Thanks for sharing the lesson in attitude adjustment. I am so happy that you didn't give up the bike. Sadly, accidents do happen; it is what we are all willing to learn from others and our own mistakes that make the difference.
Agreed.
Sorry about your mate, and I hope the guy gets what he deserves.
Im so sorry to hear about your friend.
Im very ashamed to say i used to drink and drive. Last year i got caught and its the best thing that ever happened to me. This year not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips because if i was ever in the van mans shoes i dont think i could live with myself... i certainly wouldn't have the audacity to try it on and say what he said!!
I truly hope all goes well in court for daves family.
Good to hear you're still riding mate.
All the best....
Im very ashamed to say i used to drink and drive. Last year i got caught and its the best thing that ever happened to me. This year not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips because if i was ever in the van mans shoes i dont think i could live with myself... i certainly wouldn't have the audacity to try it on and say what he said!!
I truly hope all goes well in court for daves family.
Good to hear you're still riding mate.
All the best....
Lets hope he gets what he deserves.
But unfortunately i have no faith in our legal system,he will probably get a derogatory sentence and small fine as he is probably pleading poverty etc.
He probably has shown no remorse,will turn up at court in a hoody top,smoking with a bunch of people family wearing big gold chains and earings sticking there fingers up at the press.
A disgrace to our society and what its become.
But unfortunately i have no faith in our legal system,he will probably get a derogatory sentence and small fine as he is probably pleading poverty etc.
He probably has shown no remorse,will turn up at court in a hoody top,smoking with a bunch of people family wearing big gold chains and earings sticking there fingers up at the press.
A disgrace to our society and what its become.
wrightyrs said:
Lets hope he gets what he deserves.
But unfortunately i have no faith in our legal system,he will probably get a derogatory sentence and small fine as he is probably pleading poverty etc.
He probably has shown no remorse,will turn up at court in a hoody top,smoking with a bunch of people family wearing big gold chains and earings sticking there fingers up at the press.
A disgrace to our society and what its become.
But unfortunately i have no faith in our legal system,he will probably get a derogatory sentence and small fine as he is probably pleading poverty etc.
He probably has shown no remorse,will turn up at court in a hoody top,smoking with a bunch of people family wearing big gold chains and earings sticking there fingers up at the press.
A disgrace to our society and what its become.
Thats what i'm worried about, will put on the sentencing on here once all confirmed.
essex.newb!! said:
Im so sorry to hear about your friend.
Im very ashamed to say i used to drink and drive. Last year i got caught and its the best thing that ever happened to me. This year not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips because if i was ever in the van mans shoes i dont think i could live with myself... i certainly wouldn't have the audacity to try it on and say what he said!!
I truly hope all goes well in court for daves family.
Good to hear you're still riding mate.
All the best....
Im very ashamed to say i used to drink and drive. Last year i got caught and its the best thing that ever happened to me. This year not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips because if i was ever in the van mans shoes i dont think i could live with myself... i certainly wouldn't have the audacity to try it on and say what he said!!
I truly hope all goes well in court for daves family.
Good to hear you're still riding mate.
All the best....
Essex - Please take this the right way - but when I was reading your other thread re the track vs road debate I had to stop myself hitting the keyboard and typing the following letters TROLL - however I am glad I refrained - as by the end I could see what you were saying (although disagreed with your opinion).
But on this forum (and I mean all Pistonheads forums) - it is very rare that you see anyone admit to drink driving in a previous life. I was a serial offender. Luckily for me never caught - although a number of close calls including being pulled over whilst drunk twice - and other priorities for the BIB letting me get away with it and leaving the car there. Have also ridden the bike after 10+ pints 40 miles from London to home.
Scared myself this time last year when the car was there in the morning, and I had no recollection whatsoever how it got home. Was parked on the lawn resting against the front of the house. Not done it since - and I KNOW I will never do it in future again.
Hope I am not hijacking the thread and 996 - I hope your friend gets the justice he deserves. I am not trying to condone what the guy did - with the DD - as there is no excuse. It took me 13 years of driving/riding to realise it - and it is something that very few admit to doing - yet I know so many that have done.
Thoughts with your mates family and friends - and I hope the guy gets what he deserves. As I would have done if I had caused an accident - or worse.
Dibble said:
996
Is the court date for trial, or for sentencing?
If the driver's already been convicted, what has he been convicted of?
Is the court date for trial, or for sentencing?
If the driver's already been convicted, what has he been convicted of?
It is for sentencing, will confirm all on the 31st, the scenario for me is last year I worked in Plymouth and I am now in Oxs (slightly out the loop if you like)
Another lad who was at the scene with me lives in Plymouth and keeps me updated via phone, sentencing is on the 31 May as the guy had changed his plea to guilty!
Edited by 996 sps on Monday 21st May 22:14
996 sps said:
Dibble said:
996
Is the court date for trial, or for sentencing?
If the driver's already been convicted, what has he been convicted of?
Is the court date for trial, or for sentencing?
If the driver's already been convicted, what has he been convicted of?
It is for sentencing, will confirm all on the 31st, the scenario for me is last year I worked in Plymouth and I am now in Oxs (slightly out the loop if you like)
Another lad who was at the scene with me lives in Plymouth and keeps me updated via phone, sentencing is on the 31 May as the guy had changed his plea to guilty!
Edited by 996 sps on Monday 21st May 22:14
I really hope he gets everything thrown at him, but i suspect it will be a 2 year ban and 1year in jail, out in 3 months..
He should be locked up for 10+ years and never drive again!!
Dibble said:
996 sps said:
...the guy had changed his plea to guilty!
What offence(s) has he pleaded guilty to?
Okay been on the blower this morning, charges are as follows:
1. Death by dangerous driving
2. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle
3. Under the influence
4. Leaving the scene of an accident
As mentioned will put all info including sentence up on Thu, 31 May 07.
996 sps said:
Okay been on the blower this morning, charges are as follows:
1. Death by dangerous driving
2. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle
3. Under the influence
4. Leaving the scene of an accident
As mentioned will put all info including sentence up on Thu, 31 May 07.
1. Death by dangerous driving
2. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle
3. Under the influence
4. Leaving the scene of an accident
As mentioned will put all info including sentence up on Thu, 31 May 07.
Surely that cumulative list is going to have to be taken very seriously by the courts when sentencing. I hope so.
Sorry to hear about you friend, what a tradgedy - but it's great that it's not stopped you enjoying riding your bike, inspite of everything.
996 sps said:
Dibble said:
996 sps said:
...the guy had changed his plea to guilty!
What offence(s) has he pleaded guilty to?
Okay been on the blower this morning, charges are as follows:
1. Death by dangerous driving
2. Driving an unroadworthy vehicle
3. Under the influence
4. Leaving the scene of an accident
As mentioned will put all info including sentence up on Thu, 31 May 07.
Wow... That's a list!!!
I truly hope this guy gets a sentence that reflects the crime and at least lets the family put an end to this.
Well here we go, firstly i'd like to add I did't go to court in the end as getting ready to go to the Island.
Long and short of it is he got 4 years, allowed to put in for parole in 2 years. Had previous for drink driving.
Things I did not realise was what the bastard done after Dave hit the van it puntured his (van drivers) rear tyre, he then drove 4 miles to a farm where he dumped the van off (i'm now glad we did't go after him after crash as sod knows what I/we would have done to him).
A woman see him dump the van off and see the police chopper overhead so rang the police, the lad then rang his Mum to pick him up and take him to there caravan park (where they live). Police got him there.
They can't prove he was on his mobile but his billing account shows a phonecall was made at the time of the crash, they proved Dave had his indicator on and was not speeding also that he was positioned in the correct position for an overtake, they proved his (van drivers) indicators were not working and no MOT/insurance, he was over the limit.
The guy said Dave was speeding and that he paniced after impact, the judge said in his summing up that this was not an act of panic for a person to drive 4 miles with a flat tyre then leave his vehicle. It was callous.
Dave was a naval officer with a good career and was a sensible guy with good morals (a top bloke) left to die by a traveller who did/does not give a toss about law or morals, he turn't up in court in a pair of jeans.
Treat all vehciles as the enemy and do not overtake on junctions chaps.
The police showed a video of all of us going through a village ten minutes before the accident (murder) it shows Dave at the front and all of us riding sensibly, the police are going to give Daves parents a copy of this so i've been told. I really do believe the Police done a great job and where fantastic at the scene to all of us.
Long and short of it is he got 4 years, allowed to put in for parole in 2 years. Had previous for drink driving.
Things I did not realise was what the bastard done after Dave hit the van it puntured his (van drivers) rear tyre, he then drove 4 miles to a farm where he dumped the van off (i'm now glad we did't go after him after crash as sod knows what I/we would have done to him).
A woman see him dump the van off and see the police chopper overhead so rang the police, the lad then rang his Mum to pick him up and take him to there caravan park (where they live). Police got him there.
They can't prove he was on his mobile but his billing account shows a phonecall was made at the time of the crash, they proved Dave had his indicator on and was not speeding also that he was positioned in the correct position for an overtake, they proved his (van drivers) indicators were not working and no MOT/insurance, he was over the limit.
The guy said Dave was speeding and that he paniced after impact, the judge said in his summing up that this was not an act of panic for a person to drive 4 miles with a flat tyre then leave his vehicle. It was callous.
Dave was a naval officer with a good career and was a sensible guy with good morals (a top bloke) left to die by a traveller who did/does not give a toss about law or morals, he turn't up in court in a pair of jeans.
Treat all vehciles as the enemy and do not overtake on junctions chaps.
The police showed a video of all of us going through a village ten minutes before the accident (murder) it shows Dave at the front and all of us riding sensibly, the police are going to give Daves parents a copy of this so i've been told. I really do believe the Police done a great job and where fantastic at the scene to all of us.
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