YP Comment: In contempt - Judge rebukes death crash driver
The 88-year-old pensioner had undertaken the ritual twice daily since her death in 2010.
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Hide Ad“If you breach it again, somebody will lock you up,” the QC told Lucas at Leeds Crown Court before increasing her sentence to 300 hours community work and telling her that she had been fortunate to keep her liberty after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving earlier in the year.
This case highlights three lessons worthy of further comment. First, judges should not be afraid to assert their authority and speak in language that will resonate with offenders rather than long-winded legalese that tends to be less impactful.
Second, the Probation Service was alert to the driver’s non-compliance with the court order. Normally, it is this much-criticised agency which is in the dock for failing to enforce a court’s wishes.
Third, many will conclude that motorists are still treated too leniently when it comes to fatal accidents, and this case will give added credence to this view. In this regard, it is important that the Government keeps the law under constant review – and that the courts do not hesitate to use the full and considerable powers which are already at their disposal.
Too many lives are still lost each year because of irresponsible driving.