Cement mixer driver jailed for causing death of Northamptonshire cyclist through careless driving

The driver of a cement mixer has been jailed for six months and banned from driving for 27 months after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

The BBC reports that Vincent Taylor hit 74-year-old Michael Bloom on the A361 near Aston le Walls with footage of the incident captured by his vehicle’s dashboard camera.

Bloom, who was described as a ‘vastly experienced cyclist’, was said to have sustained massive pelvic injuries and died of organ failure.

Jonathan Straw, prosecuting, told Northamptonshire Crown Court: "The dashcam shows Mr Bloom is about to turn right into the road. He is clearly demonstrating that he is heading towards the village of Aston le Walls."

Sentencing, Judge Rupert Mayo made reference to cyclists being vulnerable road users and said that as the driver of a lorry, Taylor should have slowed to allow Bloom to turn.

Also yesterday, a driver was sentenced to 225 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for three years after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Stephen Cocker lost control of his BMW while overtaking a bus and hit 32-year-old Neil Jaffrey on North Anderson Drive in September 2014.

Defence agent David Sutherland said the "split second" decision Cocker had taken had left him racked with "regret, sorrow and deep remorse," and added: "Mr Cocker knows what happened that day will live with him for the rest of his life. He lives with this moment every waking minute."

Although conditions were described as ‘unremarkable’ and Cocker was said not to have been travelling at excessive speed, he mounted the central reservation then travelled across the northbound carriageway before hitting Jaffrey.

Sheriff William Summers said he felt that jail was not the most appropriate way to deal with the case, adding: "It goes without saying that Mr Jaffrey's family will feel their loss for the rest of their lives. This is a sad and tragic case for all concerned."

Inconsistency in sentencing is one of the main issues repeatedly raised in Cycling UK's Road Justice campaign.

The previous Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, announced that there was to be a review of motoring offences and penalties in May 2014. However, there is uncertainty over whether this will ever take place.

In February, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Andrew Selous, said that sentencing in such cases would be considered under a wider consultation of all criminal offences which he said would begin by the end of this year.

A consultation on tougher sentencing for those convicted of dangerous driving was widely expected to appear in the Queen’s speech in May, but campaigners were left disappointed when it failed to get a mention.