Consistancy? No Chance.

[10 Pence Short]

A driver crashes into the back of a horse drawn carraige at 70mph on a fine sunny morning, straight bit of dual carraigeway with 27 seconds worth of time to see it and react. Offers no explanation as to why he didn't.

One person on the carraige is killed, another badly injured.

1 year in prison and a 2 year driving ban.

Oh, wait a minute. He works at the Cumbria Police Headquarters.

There are a few 'travellers' waiting in prison for him, though.

Edited to add:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/6973024...

Edited by 10 Pence Short on Saturday 1st September 14:19

[7db]

Nt consistent with what? That look in line to me...

[Davi]

10 Pence Short said:

There are a few 'travellers' waiting in prison for him, though.

Are you sure?! they seem to be utterly untouchable nowadays, be surprised to find any in there at all!!!

[WildCat]

I remember this one.

That guy had not one excuse in reality. I sympathise with 10 p short - He get short changed when you really assess what really happened there.

10p Short. Keep the proverbial pecker up. Most of us 100% with you in respect for you You had some bad luck. You made a mistake too. You learn from this. You deserve uttermost respect for being a most upright und decent man.

[biglepton]

Did the Horse drawn vehicle have the mandatory flashing amber beacon fitted that is required for all vehicles unable to exceed 25mph on a 70mph dual carriageway as per The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 1987?

If not the sentence given makes more sense.

[hugoagogo]

the fact that EVERYONE in the area, especially those working at police HQ in Penrith, knows there are loads of horse drawn vehicles about during Appleby fair, especially on the A66 might detract from the need for flashing beacons though, eh

[Chrispy Porker]

I am a bit confused.
Is the consensus that he was dealt with lightly because he worked for the police?
Or that he was dealt with more harshly because of that fact?

[7db]

I can't tell - I think that's right on tariff...

[biglepton]

hugoagogo said:

the fact that EVERYONE in the area, especially those working at police HQ in Penrith, knows there are loads of horse drawn vehicles about during Appleby fair, especially on the A66 might detract from the need for flashing beacons though, eh

So because EVERYONE knows there is a fair on, laws no longer apply to vehicles?

[Hooli]

Chrispy Porker said:

I am a bit confused.
Is the consensus that he was dealt with lightly because he worked for the police?
Or that he was dealt with more harshly because of that fact?

+1 - what is the point of this thread? a dig at soft sentancing or overly harsh sentances?

[CommanderJameson]

10 Pence Short said:

A driver crashes into the back of a horse drawn carraige at 70mph on a fine sunny morning, straight bit of dual carraigeway with 27 seconds worth of time to see it and react. Offers no explanation as to why he didn't.

One person on the carraige is killed, another badly injured.

1 year in prison and a 2 year driving ban.

Oh, wait a minute. He works at the Cumbria Police Headquarters.

There are a few 'travellers' waiting in prison for him, though.

Edited to add:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/6973024...

I'm not sure I understand your point. Do you think this is excessively lenient?

Do you have a number of other cases you're thinking of, in which the drivers received longer bans and sentences for the same offence? (Presumably Causing Death by Dangerous Driving - it doesn't say in the BBC News article)

This was an appalling lapse, no doubt about it, with a tragic outcome - but I don't wear a tinfoil hat and don't think that just because the driver worked for the plod that he received a lighter sentence.

[pies]

10 pence short was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, and banned from driving for three years,for dangerous driving and nobody died

[CommanderJameson]

pies said:

10 pence short was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, and banned from driving for three years,for dangerous driving and nobody died

I'm aware of that; I think that his recent experience may be colouring his perception of events.

[Mr_annie_vxr]

pies said:

10 pence short was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, and banned from driving for three years,for dangerous driving and nobody died

He also went out driving enthusiastically and was on the wrong side of the road when it happened.

Two different set of circumstances.

[Mr Wong]

pies said:

10 pence short was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, and banned from driving for three years,for dangerous driving and nobody died

what's the full details though.... nobody died, but was there an accident still? did nobody die due to pure luck?

Edited by Mr Wong on Sunday 2nd September 09:25

[hugoagogo]

biglepton said:

hugoagogo said:

the fact that EVERYONE in the area, especially those working at police HQ in Penrith, knows there are loads of horse drawn vehicles about during Appleby fair, especially on the A66 might detract from the need for flashing beacons though, eh

So because EVERYONE knows there is a fair on, laws no longer apply to vehicles?

no , but it's boocks to try to use that as an excuse for hitting the caravan
broad daylight, straight road, plenty of visibility and a good reason to expect horse drawn vehicles

[Mr_annie_vxr]

Unless of course bright sunlight, early morning low, no rear reflectors or visible items on the carriage. Whilst not an excuse could be a mitigating factor. The whole circs would have been taken into account along with the guilty plea. It may be the judge took the view that some level of blam fell upon other parties which mitigated the prison term and punishment. We only know reported not full facts.

To compare this case to the unfortunate incident involving TPS is not correct when the facts are so very different.

[hugoagogo]

surely in 'death by dangerous driving' blaming anyone for the results of that driving is irrelevant

(a) the way he drives falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver; and
(b) it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.

now whether he killed another motorist, or a nutter having a game of hopscotch in the middle of the M1, he has admitted, and been found guilty of, driving dangerously

[Mr_annie_vxr]

hugoagogo said:

surely in 'death by dangerous driving' blaming anyone for the results of that driving is irrelevant

(a) the way he drives falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver; and
(b) it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.

now whether he killed another motorist, or a nutter having a game of hopscotch in the middle of the M1, he has admitted, and been found guilty of, driving dangerously

However there will be mitigation for punishment. You can be partly responsible for your own death. Good example drunk person on pavement steps out into path of car doing 50 in a 30. Is the driver just to blame or the drunk? The driver would possibly be guilty of dangerous driving however the dead drunk is also to blame and this would impact punishment.

For punishment circumstances can make a difference.

[Frik]

Why even the mention of where he works? He's not a Officer and it's not the Police who hand out the sentences.

What's relevant about it?