Marc Putnam's family speak out after drug driver Robert Beach is jailed over Hessle crash
THE brother of a man killed by a Porsche driver who was high on drugs has criticised the courts for not banning the motorist for a previous accident.
Marc Putnam, 30, was killed when his friend Robert Beach crashed his Porsche in Priory Way, Hessle, after taking drugs.
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JAILED: Robert Beach.
Beach already had 16 points on his licence, narrowly escaping a driving ban, after crashing into a house in Hull when he lost control of the same car.
He was allowed to keep his licence despite having more than 12 points after he argued a ban would cost him his job.
Now, Beach is beginning a six-year jail sentence after a jury convicted him of causing his friend's death by careless driving while on drugs.
Mr Putnam's brother Steve said: "Beach should have been dealt with properly by the courts when he crashed his car into someone's house. He should have lost his licence then.
"He shouldn't have been able to drive, and certainly not with 16 points on his licence.
"His driving is clearly dangerous and this resulted in me losing my brother, and my mum and dad losing their son.
"It is right that he has been given a prison sentence, but no amount of time will be long enough for us."
Beach, 36, of Thoresby Street, west Hull, had taken Class C drug Phenazepam, known as bonsai, which is more powerful than heroin substitute diaze- pam and is not available in the UK.
He had collected Mr Putnam from Hessle before the accident at 9.05pm on January 26 last year.
Judge Mark Bury told Beach: "Mr Putnam was an innocent victim in all of this. No sentence will restore his life or alleviate the anguish his parents and loved ones suffer.
"I'm satisfied on the evidence that you took these drugs between 6pm and 9pm on the day in question.
"You are a poor driver and your driving record is a significant aggravating feature of this incident. It seems to me that you deserve and will receive a significant sentence of imprisonment."
Beach was also banned from driving for five years and must take an extended retest before he can drive again.
In a statement, Mr Putnam's parents John and Robina said: "Mark had a heart of gold and would help anyone. He was due to complete a charity cycle ride before his death.
"The loss of a child at any time is so hard to accept but to lose our son in such tragic and needless circumstances is something we and the rest of the family will never get over."
Beach was driving along Priory Way when he lost control coming off a roundabout.
Beach was driving at speeds of up to 42mph on the 30mph stretch after negotiating the roundabout.
The Porsche ended up on the wrong side of the road and drove straight into the path of an oncoming Mercedes.
Mr Putnam was pronounced dead at the scene.
His father John said: "It's left me feeling numb and empty. It has been the most difficult period of my life and one that cannot be repaired.
"I never thought I would see my son's funeral and I will hold the memory for the rest of my life."
Beach broke his back in four places, fractured all his ribs on the left of his body, ruptured his spleen and punctured his lung.
He was placed in an induced coma for eight days and spent three weeks in hospital.
Three months before the incident Beach, who was an operation manager for a cleaning firm in east Hull, crashed his Porsche into a house in quiet cul-de-sac Tara Court, off Ryde Avenue, west Hull, while the pregnant occupant watched television. He then reversed his car and drove off.
The owners had to move out of the house until it was repaired due to the damage.
Beach claimed he needed his licence for his job and the magistrates allowed him to keep it, despite him having 16 points on his licence.
• Porsche driver Robert Beach jailed for six years over crash that killed friend Marc Putnam
Comments
by ArthurHunt
Sunday, January 13 2013, 12:21PM
“Despite the red arrows ferretmonger is quite right and I'd have reciprocal treaties in place with all Commonwealth and EEA countries, Switzerland and the USA so a ban for life here is valid for life almost world-wide...
Human Rights can bog off.
Aye thankyou.”
by funky15
Sunday, January 13 2013, 2:22AM
“u low life piece of poo, rot in hell”
by bewildered1
Saturday, January 12 2013, 8:50PM
“Hully
Nice bit of research mate lots of different aspects; maybe a relative insured it and put him on the cover?
If so they have questions to answer and some guilt to share.”
by bewildered1
Saturday, January 12 2013, 8:08PM
“Hully
Nice bit of research mate, maybe a relative insured it and put him on the cover?
If so they have questions to answer and some guilt to share.”
by Hully
Saturday, January 12 2013, 3:18PM
“@bewildered1
Your comment re insurance.
I find it improbable that without him lying or indeed driving with no insurance that he could have possibly afforded to drive a Porsche
I've just been on site and got a very rough price of £1891.50 with a clean sheet
£4289.97 with 12 points on licence, states would not be possible to get insurance from any company with over 12 points.
I take it he lied or wasn't insured, and if he did lie the insurance he did have would be revoked on claim.
What a scumbag”
by ferretmonger
Saturday, January 12 2013, 2:48PM
“Anyone who drives whilst under the influence of drugs should be banned for life, end of.”
by reallyyoung_G
Saturday, January 12 2013, 2:44PM
“charleswelton
The ban only kicks in after he is released from prison and if he is sent back for any reason, it will be put on hold until he gets back out.
And as for passing an extended driving test, he'll probably never get his licensee back.”
by bewildered1
Saturday, January 12 2013, 2:26PM
“Whilst one can sympathise with the family for their loss surely the unfortunate passenger bore some responsiblity for his own behaviour and its consequences.That is not to say that he deserved his fate.
Like Princess Diana Mr Puttnam chose to get into a vehicle with someone who presented a danger to their health and life, any sensible person would not put themselves in that situation. (Indeed Diana got into a car with a drunken driver and was not even wearing a seat belt- evolution in action?)
As far as the courts are concerned it is not possible to stop bad things happening, that is our job as citizens and still not possible to stop it altogether, and if the family and friends who influence Mr Beach were prepared to treat his behaviour as acceptable and thus normalise it they to bear some responsibility (along with all the speed freaks who put us all in danger.)
As a side issue it is also possible that the insurance company could have got Mr Beach of the road by completely refusing to give him insurance cover, they enabled him to drive in order that they could make a profit.”
by Hully
Saturday, January 12 2013, 1:48PM
“I'd posted on the other story from yesterday that 6 years was too much, and I said I was sorry to family and friends of the deceased if this caused distress, it was just my opinion on the facts then.
I'll take it back and state that knowing more facts from this story that this idiot driver is a danger to everyone behind a wheel and should NEVER get a licence again.
Crashed into a house and left the scene of an accident and had 16 points on his licence and kept it because he'd lose his job. What an idiotic self centered dangerous individual. Wonder if they are keeping his job open for him now!!!!!!
As has been said the magistrates need to be held accountable and they have a hand in Mark's death. I dont drive but thought 12 points and your licence went in the bin.... 16 points it should have gone in the shredder.
Nothing we say will bring him back as his brother has said that no amount of time will either. It will be a difficult day for you all in a few weeks when you lay flowers in Mark's memory where the accident happened and don't expect any day since the accident has been.
God bless you all and Mark ^*^”
by Hully
Saturday, January 12 2013, 1:35PM
“@charleswelton what an idiotic comment”