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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Text driver jailed for bike death | Text driver jailed for bike death |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison. | A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been sentenced to four years in prison. |
| Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries when he went through a red light and was struck by Kiera Coultas' car in Southampton in February 2007. | Jordan Wickington, 19, died from head injuries when he went through a red light and was struck by Kiera Coultas' car in Southampton in February 2007. |
| The 25-year-old from Hythe, Hampshire, was driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone. | The 25-year-old from Hythe, Hampshire, was driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone. |
| Miss Coultas had earlier been found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving. | Miss Coultas had earlier been found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving. |
| Seeing my 19-year-old brother lying dying in a hospital bed was too much to take Laura Wickington | Seeing my 19-year-old brother lying dying in a hospital bed was too much to take Laura Wickington |
| Judge Jeremy Burford also banned her from driving. | Judge Jeremy Burford also banned her from driving. |
| "The serious part of your conduct was that you were sending a text on your mobile phone having just received one," he said. | "The serious part of your conduct was that you were sending a text on your mobile phone having just received one," he said. |
| "It occurred at precisely the worst time because you failed to see the cyclist who was crossing the road having gone through the red light and travelling as you were at 45mph you hit him and he suffered injuries from which he later died." | "It occurred at precisely the worst time because you failed to see the cyclist who was crossing the road having gone through the red light and travelling as you were at 45mph you hit him and he suffered injuries from which he later died." |
| Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, died in Southampton General Hospital. | Mr Wickington, of Netley, Hampshire, died in Southampton General Hospital. |
| Speaking after the ruling his sister, Laura, said: "My life came crashing down before me, seeing my 19-year-old brother lying dying in a hospital bed was too much to take. | Speaking after the ruling his sister, Laura, said: "My life came crashing down before me, seeing my 19-year-old brother lying dying in a hospital bed was too much to take. |
| "These moments were the most soul destroying and traumatic moments of my life," she said. | "These moments were the most soul destroying and traumatic moments of my life," she said. |
| Sgt Alyson West, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the ruling would hopefully discourage others from using their mobile phones while driving. | Sgt Alyson West, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the ruling would hopefully discourage others from using their mobile phones while driving. |
| "Today's sentence will not bring back Jordan Wickington. However, it will hopefully help to deter drivers who continue to flout the law by using their mobile phones while driving. | "Today's sentence will not bring back Jordan Wickington. However, it will hopefully help to deter drivers who continue to flout the law by using their mobile phones while driving. |
| "The answer is quite simple - don't use your mobile phone and drive. | "The answer is quite simple - don't use your mobile phone and drive. |
| "Nothing is so important that it can't wait until you stop or arrive safely at your destination." | "Nothing is so important that it can't wait until you stop or arrive safely at your destination." |
| You have sent us your comments on this story. Here are a selection: | |
| Jordan Wickington would be alive today if Kiera Coultas hadn't been using her mobile phone. He would also be alive today if he hadn't ignored the red light. Why couldn't the police say "The answer is quite simple - don't use your mobile phone and drive, and don't go through red lights"?Graham Bragg, Beenham, Berkshire | |
| He ran the red light; therefore his fault and his blame.Texting and the speed only affected the severity of the accident and did not cause the accident.Neil, London | |
| I know that the driver was wrong to be texting, but it was 50/50 in wrong doing, the cyclist also should not have gone through a red light.Christine, Chesham, Bucks | |
| OMG! She only got four years for taking a human life (and she will only do two years). She should have got life. The justice system in this country stinks.Anne, Stretford, Manchester | |
| As a motorcycle rider, I have had a couple of near misses with car drivers who are texting while driving on motorways/carriage ways and drift across into my lane. Only my awareness and evasive manoeuvres prevented accidents occurring.Gary Wilkinson, Littleborough, Lancs | |
| I was glad when the penalties for using a mobile while driving were increased because I had seen loads of drivers using one and still do sometimes. Some drivers seem to be prepared to take the gamble of being caught and worse take the risk of injuring someone as in this case.I feel the judge was absolutely rightKeith, Birmingham UK | |
| Whilst I agree that the motorist should not have been texting and exceeding the speed limit, the fact that the cyclist jumped a red light seems largely ignored in this case. When will cyclists learn that they have to adhere to the same rules of the road as other users?Andrew, Norwich | |
| I think this sentence is not enough due to nature of the accident, so irresponsibility showed by driver.Zahid, Woking | |
| Whilst not diminishing the part speeding and mobile phone use had in all of this, the story makes no mention of the judge's remarks (or otherwise) regarding the cyclist passing through a red light and so was also guilty of dangerous road use. Surely the cyclist had a part to play in this whole sorry episode; however the reporting would appear to have the fault lie completely with the driver.MC, UK |