Crash drivers begin jail terms

Lord Chief Justice: Maximum sentences will be further increased

Four Northern Ireland motorists who initially escaped going to jail for causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving have begun prison sentences.

They were given jail sentences of between one and two years when their cases were reviewed in the Court of Appeal in Belfast on Friday.

The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell, said the four drivers had until mid-day on Monday to report to prison.

Originally they had been given suspended sentences but the attorney general referred the cases to the court because he felt the sentences to be "unduly lenient".

Gavin Robinson, 21, from Lisnarick, Irvinestown, who was given a suspended sentence of three years for causing the death of Robert Grimsley by careless driving and having consumed alcohol, was jailed for one year.

Vivian Nelson: Killed in road crash

Grahame Humphreys, 19, from The Woods, Larne, who got a 15 months suspended sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Dean Noel James, 29, from Lawnbrook Meadows, Omagh, who received a three-year suspended sentence for causing the death of Stephen Ward by dangerous driving, was jailed for two years.

Colm McGuone, 21, from Sultan, Carrickmore, who had been given three years suspended for causing the death of Vivian Nelson by dangerous driving, was sentenced to one year.

Afterwards, Vivian's mother Margaret Virtue broke down and said the sentence was too lenient.

Bereaved

Sir Robert said on Friday that although prison sentences may seem "unfairly draconian" to some, the court had to consider the irremediable and sometimes catastrophic consequences caused to bereaved families, as well as public opinion.

The Lord Chief Justice said the incidence of death and injury on the roads had been the subject of increasing public and Parliamentary concern.

He referred to figures quoted by the attorney general which showed that 13,000 people are injured on the roads in Northern Ireland each year, some 1,600 seriously and 150 killed.

Road casualties had risen by 25% in the last 10 years.

Sir Robert added: "Maximum sentences have been lengthened and legislation is now proposed which would increase them further.

"The courts have responded to the intention of parliament, which is based upon a general public view that judges should pass heavier sentences than in the past on drivers who commit such offences - both by way of punishment and in order to attempt to deter others from behaving in the same anti-social fashion."