Jail for driver who killed cyclist when still drunk from previous evening

A driver who was still drunk from the previous evening when he killed a cyclist has been jailed for three years and four months.

The victim, 24-year-old Jordan Gregory, died at the scene of the collision in his home town of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

Paramjit Singh, aged 28 and who also lives Sutton-in-Ashfield, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink.

Nottinghamshire Police says that the fatal crash happened at the junction of Station Road and the A38 at around 2pm on 9 August 2017.

Singh, who was dressed in pyjamas and slippers at the time of the collision, had drunk four whiskies before going to bed the previous evening at 3.30am and had eaten nothing on the day Mr Gregory was killed.

His breath alcohol level was 43 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal limit of 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

He was estimated to have been driving at around 52 miles per hour, with the court being told that he sped up to get through the junction as the traffic lights changed.

Besides the prison sentence, Singh was also banned from driving for three and a half years and will be required to take an extended driving test to regain his licence.

Detective Sergeant Adam Cooper of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said after Singh was sentenced: “This collision could have been avoided had Paramjit Singh shown any respect for the law and other road users and made the responsible decision not to drive after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

“He was not honest with himself or the Police about the amount of alcohol he’d drunk the previous evening and was still over the limit at the time of the crash at around 2pm.

“It was agreed between the prosecution and defence that Singh was travelling at 52 to 55mph which, although only just over the 50mph limit at the location, was wholly inappropriate for a busy junction.

“His actions will impact on the family of Jordan Gregory and everyone who witnessed the collision for many, many years.”

He continued: “This case serves as a reminder to all of how drinking in the evening can still leave you above the limit the following day.

“It reminds people that if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a serious collision as a driver, you will be held accountable for your actions. 

“I ask people to consider honestly, when driving, whether they are fit to be driving and whether their manner of driving is appropriate for the conditions. 

“The consequences can have a widespread and devastating impact.

 “I'd like to thank all those who stopped at the scene and did their best to help Jordan and also assisted with our investigation,” he added. “I would also like to acknowledge the dignity and patience his family have shown throughout our investigation."

Mr Gregory acted as carer to his mother Joanne, who said in a statement released via Nottinghamshire Police: “My life is very different now without Jordan, I miss him every second of every day. I will never see his smile again.

“We shared a very special mother and son bond which can never be broken. He was the perfect son, one that any mum could ever wish for. He was loving and kind and I feel very lucky for the 24 years that I had him for.

“He was loved dearly by all the family and we all miss him immensely. ‘I’ll will love and miss you forever my beautiful boy’. Paramjit Singh has destroyed our lives.

“We wish to thank all the people that helped Jordan and were there to comfort him. We are forever grateful and you will always be in our thoughts.”

She added: “We would like to appeal to drivers not to drink and drive. Your actions destroy lives and families.

“We also wish to thank the police and court for their support throughout this awful time in our lives.”