This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7496757.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Death cyclist fine angers family Death cyclist fine angers family
(about 5 hours later)
The father of a 17-year-old girl who was fatally injured in a collision with a cyclist has said it is "laughable" the man has only been fined. The father of a 17-year-old girl who was fatally injured in a collision with a cyclist has said it is "laughable" that the man has only been fined.
Mick Bennett said Jason Howard should have faced manslaughter charges and been jailed for several years over Rhiannon Bennett's death in April 2007.Mick Bennett said Jason Howard should have faced manslaughter charges and been jailed for several years over Rhiannon Bennett's death in April 2007.
Howard was an "arrogant and vile little man", Mr Bennett said outside court.
Howard, 36, of Buckingham, was fined £2,200 on Tuesday after being convicted of dangerous cycling in the town.Howard, 36, of Buckingham, was fined £2,200 on Tuesday after being convicted of dangerous cycling in the town.
During Howard's trial, Aylesbury magistrates heard Howard had shouted at Rhiannon to "move because I'm not stopping" before crashing into her. I think many people would say perhaps that law needs looking at Sgt Dominic Mahon, Thames Valley Police The Crown Prosecution Service said the charge was the most appropriate one.
Rhiannon died six days after hitting her head on the pavement as a result of the collision in Verney Close. During Howard's trial, Aylesbury magistrates heard Howard had shouted at Rhiannon to "move because I'm not stopping" before crashing into her.
I think many people would say perhaps that law needs looking at Sgt Dominic Mahon, Thames Valley Police
Rhiannon died six days after hitting her head on the pavement as a result of the collision in Verney Close, Buckingham.
Following the verdict, Mr Bennett said: "It's laughable - when we first heard about this we thought it would be manslaughter, or perhaps even murder, but this is Britain.Following the verdict, Mr Bennett said: "It's laughable - when we first heard about this we thought it would be manslaughter, or perhaps even murder, but this is Britain.
"He is an arrogant, vile little man.""He is an arrogant, vile little man."
Rhiannon's mother, Maureen, said: "Words cannot express how broken-hearted we are as a family. Rhiannon's mother, Diana, said: "Words cannot express how broken-hearted we are as a family.
"My daughter ended up dying for him having a bike ride.""My daughter ended up dying for him having a bike ride."
Mrs Bennett told BBC Five Live that the law had let the them down.
She said: "He shouted a warning. There's no need to shout a warning. He's on his bicycle he should have veered round them but even on impact with Rhiannon, he didn't even break.
"He was on the foot path where she should have been safe."
A CPS spokesperson said: "A file of evidence from the police was reviewed by a senior CPS prosecutor and, based on that evidence, it was decided the charge of dangerous cycling was the most appropriate.
"Each case is kept under continuous review and following correspondence with Rhiannon's family, the case was looked at before and after the inquest into Rhiannon's death, which returned a verdict of accidental death.
"It was decided that the charge of dangerous cycling was the appropriate charge and there was insufficient evidence for more serious charges, such as manslaughter, to be pursued."
Law change
Sgt Dominic Mahon, of Thames Valley Police, told the BBC Howard could have been travelling at about 17mph when he struck Rhiannon, "imparting a great deal of force" on her.Sgt Dominic Mahon, of Thames Valley Police, told the BBC Howard could have been travelling at about 17mph when he struck Rhiannon, "imparting a great deal of force" on her.
On Monday, the court heard Howard could have swerved to the right of the group and avoided the collision.On Monday, the court heard Howard could have swerved to the right of the group and avoided the collision.
Law change
But Sgt Mahon said he stayed on a "straight course" towards the group because he had thought he could get through a gap he saw between Rhiannon and her friends.But Sgt Mahon said he stayed on a "straight course" towards the group because he had thought he could get through a gap he saw between Rhiannon and her friends.
However, it seems Rhiannon moved in to the gap at the last second and was struck by the bike.However, it seems Rhiannon moved in to the gap at the last second and was struck by the bike.
It was unclear in court as to whether she was still in the road or on the pavement when the collision happened.It was unclear in court as to whether she was still in the road or on the pavement when the collision happened.
"We think Rhiannon was probably a few inches, or a foot, in to the road and then she moved towards the pavement," said Sgt Mahon. "We think Rhiannon was probably a few inches, or a foot, into the road and then she moved towards the pavement," said Sgt Mahon.
He said he could understand why her family would want to see the law changed.
"It would be almost impossible for them to see this as a proper outcome, considering the loss they've suffered, so I certainly understand how they feel," Sgt Mahon said.
"That's the law as it stands and I think many people would say perhaps that law needs looking at."