SENTENCE IS JUST AN INSULT TO A DEAD MAN (From Warrington Guardian)

SENTENCE IS JUST AN INSULT TO A DEAD MAN

A 'DRUNK' Winsford motorist who killed a young father and ploughed a stolen car into the living room of a house in the town has been sentenced to eight years' custody.

But members of the victim's family say the term imposed against David John May is an insult and will never replace the life of 21-year-old crash victim Mark Lucas, who died in the collision as he was cycling home in September.

And a judge has described the incident as 'one of the worst cases imaginable'.

Recorder of Chester Elgan Edwards was speaking after May, 18, of Cleveland Way, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at an accident, failing to report an accident, driving while disqualified, driving without a licence and having no insurance.

Chester Crown Court heard that Mark was cycling home past the junction of Dover Drive and Wingfield Place after visiting his fiance Linsey Verdin and daughter Lily Mai when he was hit by a stolen Vauxhall Vectra driven by May.

Robert Trevor-Jones, prosecuting, told the hearing that the crash, which claimed Mark's life 'instantaneously', also saw Day plough the car into the house with a risk of there being an explosion before fleeing from the scene.

He said: "The defendant was dazed following the crash, which happened on a corner where he had previously lost control before, and he jogged off and ran away from the scene. The defendant was subsequently described as being obviously drunk and said he had hit a lamppost.

"The following day he went to the police station and underwent a breath test which proved to be negative."

May was sentenced to eight years in a young offenders' institution and was banned from driving for 10 years.

Andrew Jebb, defending, said: "The defendant is well aware that he faces a lengthy sentence and it is clear that he feels that that is what he deserves.

"This is undoubtedly a serious case and the defendant was clearly travelling too quickly. He is inconsolable at having killed someone and he has genuine shock and genuine remorse for what he did.

"He is very conscious of the distress he has caused to the victim's family and the community."

l Family reaction - see page 3

jbrakell@guardiangrp.co.uk