Wildy Drunken Driver, Already Disqualified, Previous Conviction, Killed 2 People, Only Gets 7½ Years (Out In 3)

[Canary42]

Another pathetic judge. No wonder crime is on the increase.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-47827686

[tonyav]

Ought to be a throw the key away case imo.


A witness to the crash said they had to hold on to Clarke to stop him from trying to stagger away before the police arrived.

The court also heard a witness say it looked as if Clarke was trying to pull Mr Seymour, who was badly injured, across into the driver's seat.

[Buenchico]

I can't help thinking though that accepting a lift from someone who's clearly pished out of his mind could be considered to be somewhat foolhardy.

[Calicogirl]

All very true and I agree with you, but why was he a passenger in a vehicle being driven by someone who had drunk 10 pints and was obviously that intoxicated? Why didn't he take his keys off him?

[Calicogirl]

Sorry Chris you weren't there when I posted :)

[jno]

it doesn't say what penalties were open to the judge.

"killed a former footballer and anti-child abuse campaigner" - that's actually only one person.

[Buenchico]

>>> it doesn't say what penalties were open to the judge

See here:
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/causing-death-by-dangerous-driving/

It would appear that the judge considered a notional 10-year sentence to be appropriate but was then obliged to reduce it by 25% for an early guilty plea.

[cassa333]

One does wonder why he got in the van with a bloke who was obviously drunk.

But if the max is 10 years then with 25% off for an early plea 7.5 years is right. Mind you I think it should have been more.

Perhaps we need to adopt some of the US sentencing where they get x amount of years for each offence to run consecutively.

[piggynose]

theres no hiding places in prison, as soon as the other cons find out his crime, he will be dealt with.

[ToraToraTora]

dam savage, should throw away the key.

[New Judge]

The maximum for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years.

Mr Clarke would have been entitled to a third discount for his guilty plea making the nominal sentence one of 11 years and three months.

[EDDIE51]

A Judge does NOT make up the sentence off the top of his/her head ! He / She MUST follow 'Sebtencing Guidelines' !!. If a sentence outside the guidelines was passed the defence solicitor would be duty bound to question it! As said the sentence is well within the guidelines !