This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-18930215#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Jonathan Gouldsmith taxi death: Llanelli driver jailed | Jonathan Gouldsmith taxi death: Llanelli driver jailed |
(3 days later) | |
A taxi driver has been jailed for three years for killing a young soldier on home leave from Afghanistan in a crash. | A taxi driver has been jailed for three years for killing a young soldier on home leave from Afghanistan in a crash. |
L/Cpl Jonathan Gouldsmith, 24, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was hit by a taxi while walking on a night out in Llanelli in April 2011. | L/Cpl Jonathan Gouldsmith, 24, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was hit by a taxi while walking on a night out in Llanelli in April 2011. |
Steven Carey, 29, was driving late at night when he took his eye off the road while making a call on his mobile. | Steven Carey, 29, was driving late at night when he took his eye off the road while making a call on his mobile. |
Carey, from Llanelli, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving by a jury at Swansea Crown Court. | |
L/Cpl Gouldsmith, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had previously completed six months in Afghanistan, including service in Helmand province. | L/Cpl Gouldsmith, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had previously completed six months in Afghanistan, including service in Helmand province. |
The court heard how he was walking down the middle of the road on a night out in Llanelli when he was hit by the white Skoda taxi. | The court heard how he was walking down the middle of the road on a night out in Llanelli when he was hit by the white Skoda taxi. |
Carey only braked after hitting Jonathan, throwing his up into the air and causing fatal injuries. | Carey only braked after hitting Jonathan, throwing his up into the air and causing fatal injuries. |
Judge Keith Thomas said: "The sole cause was that you were so distracted by the mobile telephone call you were making that you didn't see him until it was too late." | Judge Keith Thomas said: "The sole cause was that you were so distracted by the mobile telephone call you were making that you didn't see him until it was too late." |
He added: "Human life cannot be measured in years or months of a sentence - no term can compensate for the loss to Jonathan's family." | He added: "Human life cannot be measured in years or months of a sentence - no term can compensate for the loss to Jonathan's family." |
The court heard that L/Cpl Gouldsmith had been drinking with a fellow squaddie on leave from Helmand Province in April this year. | The court heard that L/Cpl Gouldsmith had been drinking with a fellow squaddie on leave from Helmand Province in April this year. |
But the judge said it was "unacceptable" that drink played a part in his tragic death. | But the judge said it was "unacceptable" that drink played a part in his tragic death. |
Carey was jailed for three years and will be disqualified from driving for three years following his release. | Carey was jailed for three years and will be disqualified from driving for three years following his release. |
L/Cpl Gouldsmith's twin brother and fellow soldier Christopher, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, said: "I'm devastated that Jonathan should have survived Afghanistan only to be killed at home. | L/Cpl Gouldsmith's twin brother and fellow soldier Christopher, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, said: "I'm devastated that Jonathan should have survived Afghanistan only to be killed at home. |
"He was such a bubbly character and full of life and I cannot believe he is no longer with us. | "He was such a bubbly character and full of life and I cannot believe he is no longer with us. |
"Wherever we were in the world we always kept in touch - we always had a very close bond. | "Wherever we were in the world we always kept in touch - we always had a very close bond. |
"He was an outgoing personality and jokey person who made people laugh and smile and he was passionate about sport." | "He was an outgoing personality and jokey person who made people laugh and smile and he was passionate about sport." |
The dead soldier's commanding officer Lt Col Andrew Stuart said: "He was a rare character and a supremely fit and talented sportsman. | The dead soldier's commanding officer Lt Col Andrew Stuart said: "He was a rare character and a supremely fit and talented sportsman. |
"He made a significant impact in the service and his loss will be felt keenly by his friends." | "He made a significant impact in the service and his loss will be felt keenly by his friends." |
Previous version
1
Next version