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/8001838.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Road rage killing driver jailed Road rage killing driver jailed
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been jailed for 27 months for the manslaughter of a motorist after he "lost control" in a road rage incident.A man has been jailed for 27 months for the manslaughter of a motorist after he "lost control" in a road rage incident.
Graham Cahill, 44, of Hawthorne Drive, Harrow, north London, confronted Toby Cooke, from Luton, after a minor collision on the M1 in May 2008.Graham Cahill, 44, of Hawthorne Drive, Harrow, north London, confronted Toby Cooke, from Luton, after a minor collision on the M1 in May 2008.
The Old Bailey heard Cahill punched Mr Cooke once, causing him to fall.The Old Bailey heard Cahill punched Mr Cooke once, causing him to fall.
The 25-year-old died from injuries caused by his head striking the ground. Cahill was jailed at Luton Crown Court after admitting manslaughter.The 25-year-old died from injuries caused by his head striking the ground. Cahill was jailed at Luton Crown Court after admitting manslaughter.
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
Toby was a very kind person and from a young age he was dedicated to helping the less fortunate Family statementToby was a very kind person and from a young age he was dedicated to helping the less fortunate Family statement
The court heard that Cahill pulled over on the hard shoulder of the motorway to confront Mr Cooke over his driving on 22 May last year.The court heard that Cahill pulled over on the hard shoulder of the motorway to confront Mr Cooke over his driving on 22 May last year.
He punched Mr Cooke, a forklift driver from Luton, once during the attack on the northbound carriageway of the M1 near junction 10.He punched Mr Cooke, a forklift driver from Luton, once during the attack on the northbound carriageway of the M1 near junction 10.
Mr Cooke died in hospital four days later from injuries received when his head struck the ground.Mr Cooke died in hospital four days later from injuries received when his head struck the ground.
The court heard that Cahill was on his way to work in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, when Mr Cooke drove up behind him, gesturing him to move over.The court heard that Cahill was on his way to work in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, when Mr Cooke drove up behind him, gesturing him to move over.
'Difficult sentencing''Difficult sentencing'
Defence counsel Maria Karaiskos said the pair pulled over and Mr Cooke called the police to report the incident, but a scuffle began.Defence counsel Maria Karaiskos said the pair pulled over and Mr Cooke called the police to report the incident, but a scuffle began.
The court heard Mr Cooke had previously been involved in a similar incident which had been reported to the police.The court heard Mr Cooke had previously been involved in a similar incident which had been reported to the police.
Sentencing Cahill, Judge John Bevan said: "The victim was given, on occasion, to aggressive risk-taking and provocative driving and did so indulge in that on this occasion.Sentencing Cahill, Judge John Bevan said: "The victim was given, on occasion, to aggressive risk-taking and provocative driving and did so indulge in that on this occasion.
"However, these events did occur some moments after the road rage incident was over.""However, these events did occur some moments after the road rage incident was over."
Toby Cooke was due to go to Ghana to help build a children's hospitalToby Cooke was due to go to Ghana to help build a children's hospital
He said cases such as one-punch manslaughter or death by dangerous driving "can on occasions present the sentencer with the most difficult sentencing problems of any in the spectrum".He said cases such as one-punch manslaughter or death by dangerous driving "can on occasions present the sentencer with the most difficult sentencing problems of any in the spectrum".
He said a letter from Cahill, expressing remorse, had presented a "refreshing absence of the usual request for leniency".He said a letter from Cahill, expressing remorse, had presented a "refreshing absence of the usual request for leniency".
After the sentencing, Mr Cooke's family said: "Toby was a very kind person and from a young age he was dedicated to helping the less fortunate.After the sentencing, Mr Cooke's family said: "Toby was a very kind person and from a young age he was dedicated to helping the less fortunate.
"He helped at a special needs school and championed those who were vulnerable. If Toby had to leave us so that just one person thinks twice and rejects violence as a course of action, then he won't have gone in vain."He helped at a special needs school and championed those who were vulnerable. If Toby had to leave us so that just one person thinks twice and rejects violence as a course of action, then he won't have gone in vain.
"So many people have been devastated by this man's 'momentary loss of control'. His family must be suffering dreadfully too."So many people have been devastated by this man's 'momentary loss of control'. His family must be suffering dreadfully too.
"The sentence is acceptable because how long could ever be long enough?"The sentence is acceptable because how long could ever be long enough?
"Graham Cahill has been carrying a life sentence since he attacked Toby. He will have to live with the consequences of his anger forever.""Graham Cahill has been carrying a life sentence since he attacked Toby. He will have to live with the consequences of his anger forever."
Advertisement
Double tragedy of road rage death on the M1