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Teenager cleared of Longridge death crash charge
A TEENAGER has been cleared of causing the death of a close friend by dangerous driving.
But Adam Catterall, 19, admitted careless driving before the fatal accident in Longridge, and was fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 18 months.
Matthew Hesketh, 18, of Preston, died after the car collided with a taxi in Preston Road.
The Judge at Preston Crown Court, Heather Lloyd, told Catterall: "Whatever the sentence, nothing will ever possibly or could ever possibly satisfy the grief and anger of Matthew's family.
"Their loss is unimaginable. Matthew was much loved and had hope and anticipation for the future.
"As a result of what you did that night Matthew died. You got off lightly. You will have your health and your life in front of you," she added.
Catterall, of Mill Lane, Goosnargh, had denied causing death by dangerous driving in February last year.
Judge Lloyd had earlier told the jury they would not hear a sadder case.
The trial heard that the car skidded onto the opposite side of the road and hit a taxi.
Catterall told the court that he overtook two vehicles, but had pulled back into his own lane before a bend.
He said the car then began to slide to the left and he tried to correct it.
The court also heard reports that the stretch of road was below par and showing signs of wear and tear.
The jury reached its not guilty verdict after considering the evidence for almost five and a half hours.
Mr Simon Newell, defending, said Catterall was a student working part-time and he was of previous good character.
3:04pm Friday 9th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Steve, Blackburn on 6:03pm Fri 9 May 08
"The court also heard reports that the stretch of road was below par and showing signs of wear and tear."
So it's the road's fault then is it? Whatever happened to the bit that says you should drive within your own limits AND in a manner suitable for the conditions? That young lad died because Adam Catterall was ignorant of both. £1000 and a ban is a slap on the wrist.
"The court also heard reports that the stretch of road was below par and showing signs of wear and tear."
So it's the road's fault then is it? Whatever happened to the bit that says you should drive within your own limits AND in a manner suitable for the conditions? That young lad died because Adam Catterall was ignorant of both. £1000 and a ban is a slap on the wrist.
Posted by: jcb on 7:37pm Fri 9 May 08
Previous good character? But a d**khead behind the wheel.
Previous good character? But a d**khead behind the wheel.
Posted by: removals R me, my front room on 8:41pm Fri 9 May 08
banned for 10 years should be the normal course of events and a good kicking from the dead lads dad.
banned for 10 years should be the normal course of events and a good kicking from the dead lads dad.
Posted by: lou, lancs on 10:01pm Fri 9 May 08
yes another silly boy racer when will the courts wise up, and how many more innocent passengers of idiotic drivers showing off will lose there life, a fine but he is still able to lead a full life i feel very sorry for the dead lads family as this boy racer will show off again and they have lost their son british justice you must be joking, he should be made to prove he isnt a stupid pratt before being allowed out on a public road again.
yes another silly boy racer when will the courts wise up, and how many more innocent passengers of idiotic drivers showing off will lose there life, a fine but he is still able to lead a full life i feel very sorry for the dead lads family as this boy racer will show off again and they have lost their son british justice you must be joking, he should be made to prove he isnt a stupid pratt before being allowed out on a public road again.
Posted by: harold on 10:21pm Fri 9 May 08
£1000 fine and banned for 18mths the judical system in this country is a joke. he took a life his life should be taken from him in the most horrific way possible
£1000 fine and banned for 18mths the judical system in this country is a joke. he took a life his life should be taken from him in the most horrific way possible
Posted by: Mrs M, At large on 10:55pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]harold[/bold] wrote:
£1000 fine and banned for 18mths the judical system in this country is a joke. he took a life his life should be taken from him in the most horrific way possible[/quote] Nice.
This lad will torture himself every day for the rest of his life. Im sure thats enough in the way of punishment.
harold wrote:
£1000 fine and banned for 18mths the judical system in this country is a joke. he took a life his life should be taken from him in the most horrific way possible
Nice.
This lad will torture himself every day for the rest of his life. Im sure thats enough in the way of punishment.
Posted by: synical on 11:01pm Fri 9 May 08
He killed one young person and seriously injured the other passenger in the car but it is a jury of twelve people listening to all the evidence who have made the decision that it was only careless driving and not causing death by dangerous driving. It is time the law was changed so that the courts could take account of the drivers responsibilities. If a driver chooses to drive in such a way when he is on his own in the car and is killed then he would only have himself to blame. When he takes passengers and continues to drive in that way then he is responsible for the passengers safety and this should be included as evidence of driving dangerously. This would then go some way to providing the correct sentences for the driver and some sense of justice for the families of those killed and injured.
He killed one young person and seriously injured the other passenger in the car but it is a jury of twelve people listening to all the evidence who have made the decision that it was only careless driving and not causing death by dangerous driving. It is time the law was changed so that the courts could take account of the drivers responsibilities. If a driver chooses to drive in such a way when he is on his own in the car and is killed then he would only have himself to blame. When he takes passengers and continues to drive in that way then he is responsible for the passengers safety and this should be included as evidence of driving dangerously. This would then go some way to providing the correct sentences for the driver and some sense of justice for the families of those killed and injured.
Posted by: Bert, Darwen on 6:37am Sat 10 May 08
At the end of the day nobody knows what was happening in that car that night young kids will always fool around in cars, Are all you people making comments on the correct punishment etc,etc telling me you didnt act the goat or make errors at some point in your young driving days. Its a sad loss but locking someone up for forever and a day wont change a thing or rectify anything. You need to remember that they were probably good friends as Mrs M said This lad will torture himself every day for the rest of his life. Im sure thats enough in the way of punishment.
At the end of the day nobody knows what was happening in that car that night young kids will always fool around in cars, Are all you people making comments on the correct punishment etc,etc telling me you didnt act the goat or make errors at some point in your young driving days. Its a sad loss but locking someone up for forever and a day wont change a thing or rectify anything. You need to remember that they were probably good friends as Mrs M said This lad will torture himself every day for the rest of his life. Im sure thats enough in the way of punishment.
Posted by: jcb on 3:23pm Sat 10 May 08
No Mrs M, he won't torture himself for the rest of his life, he'll be laughing up his sleeve that he virtually got away with it, and when his ban is up, no doubt he'll be back driving like an idiot, because " were'nt my fault, i'm a top driver, me". A***hole.
No Mrs M, he won't torture himself for the rest of his life, he'll be laughing up his sleeve that he virtually got away with it, and when his ban is up, no doubt he'll be back driving like an idiot, because " were'nt my fault, i'm a top driver, me". A***hole.
Posted by: Buggersback ex Bolton evening news, wigan on 9:43pm Sat 10 May 08
I thought the BEN comments section was tough. You dudes are the meanest. Good on you.
I thought the BEN comments section was tough. You dudes are the meanest. Good on you.
Posted by: Honesty, Close enough....... on 10:26pm Sun 11 May 08
I believe that the effective date is late this year - but a new offence of "Causing Death by Driving without Due Care or Attention" is to be brought in - this will (or should) close the gap on people dying on our roads, and the minor fines that are dished out. What I wonder is - will this new offence be explained to people and publishised.....? I'd like to think so.
I believe that the effective date is late this year - but a new offence of "Causing Death by Driving without Due Care or Attention" is to be brought in - this will (or should) close the gap on people dying on our roads, and the minor fines that are dished out. What I wonder is - will this new offence be explained to people and publishised.....? I'd like to think so.
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