Woman admits careless driving killed teen
A YOUNG woman has admitted killing a teenager after knocking him off his motorbike.
Ben Woodward, 19, died at the scene of the accident in First Lane, Anlaby, after Abigail Gunn, 21, drove into him in September last year.
Miss Gunn, of Hazelbarrow Drive, Willerby, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at Beverley Magistrates' Court.
The court heard Miss Gunn was travelling along Hull Road, Anlaby, on the way to see her boyfriend.
As she went to make a right turn into First Lane, she knocked Ben, who was travelling towards her, also in Hull Road, off his bike.
Miss Gunn told police she did not see Mr Woodward, but was not able to explain why.
Bill Waddington, defending, said: "My client was asked why did she not see the motorcycle and this is a question that has haunted her to this day and I dare say will for the rest of her life. She was travelling at a low speed immediately prior to the turn and witnesses put that at about 10mph.
"My client indicates she checked ahead and had not seen the motorcycle."
The case could have been sent to the crown court, but District Judge Earl said he was satisfied the case could be kept in the magistrates' court.
He has now adjourned the case to allow probation service to prepare reports before sentencing.
He said: "This is an extremely unfortunate incident for a young lady who has taken the necessary precautions but unfortunately has failed to see the vehicle that is travelling in the opposite direction.
"This is a case that I believe does fall within the necessary powers where this can be described as a moment of momentary inattention.
"It does not lessen or cheapen the life of Mr Woodward, but it is the matter of driving that I need to sentence this lady for."
Ben's mum, Denise Dawsett, 49, said she and her family were "devastated" the case was not dealt with at crown court.
She said: "The CPS said they were trying to get the case to the crown court.
"It felt as though they had missed the point.
"It was as if Ben was on trial. They kept talking about whether he had his lights on or not – he didn't need to have his lights on at that time of day – it was still light. It was her fault, not his.
"Her explanation is that she just didn't see him but that's no excuse."
Ms Dawsett paid tribute to her son.
She said: "He was lovely, he would do anything for anyone. We all miss him.
"No one had a bad word to say about him. Life without him just isn't the same."
Miss Gunn will appear before town magistrates next month, when she will sentenced.
Link
Humberside Police
www.humberside.pnn.police.uk
28 Comments
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by angry, hull
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 11:41AM
“Ben was 1 ov the loveliest blokes ive met and didnt deserve to die if she was only doin ten then he would still be here she deserves life for death by dangerous drivin she should not have had a licence if she could not see what was comin she hit him not the other way around. you look once check the other side and look agen b4 pulling out”
by Jonathan, Hull
Saturday, March 20 2010, 5:03PM
“All very tragic, but hounding this young lady and demanding a Crown Court trial is ridiculous.She will have to live with this for the rest of her life. It doesn't matter whether the victim had no lights on, no helmet and was riding dangerously... at the end of the day, she has taken a life. This is something she never intended to do. There was no malice or intent. It was an accident with a tragic outcome. Very sad.”
by Marr, Hull
Friday, March 19 2010, 11:13PM
“This was an unfortunate horrible accident. Police confiscate mobile phones to see if people have made any calls regarding accidents such as this. If the young lady had been on her mobile , it would have been reported . My thoughts go out to both families.”
by George, Hull
Friday, March 19 2010, 8:55PM
“Sue, Beverley - just a small point but if she was sent to prison it would be a women's one so it is doubtful that there would be any female rapists to release to give her a place.”
by Common sence, Cottingham
Friday, March 19 2010, 6:37PM
“It was an Accident.
I am the first to agree that sentencing for various offences need to be urgently looked at for being to lenient, however i think the magistrate has had to make a very tough decision but he has also made the correct one.
No matter what the sentence is, Ben will not be brought back and i imagine that Abigail will regret that night for ever.
I would also like to point out that Ben was no angel and was known to ride like an idiot, not that he deserved to die.”
by sweetliluklady, hull
Friday, March 19 2010, 5:01PM
“well said Fiona . Nothing can be presumed in this case, and I am sure the poor girl will never never forget this, as the family of the deceased will never forget their son. thoughts are with them all.”
by Sue, Beverley
Friday, March 19 2010, 4:52PM
“I suppose all the people who have commented on here saying the young lady should go to prison have never ever done anything wrong when driving? I don't think that's the case. The girl made a huge mistake which she'll have to live with forever. Sending her to prison is a totally pointless waste of taxpayers money. She didn't go out to kill him and is not a danger to be out on the streets. No doubt if she was sent to prison they'd probably release some rapist or paedophile as the prisons are so full it seems to be a case of 'one in one out'. This could happen to any one of us, everyone makes mistakes. The people who seem intent on revenge towards the poor girl would do well to remember that.”
by Fiona, Beverley
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:48PM
“Following lady Samantha's comment, i would have thought in such incidents as this, it would be standard for the drivers mobile phone to be examined by the police, to eliminate any possibility of the driver being on their phone at the time of the accident. As this hasn't been reported as a factor i don't think this comment has been thought through very well. As has already been stated we are limited in knowledge and can only base our opinions on what has been printed. As to why the driver did not see Ben may always be unknown. Unfortunatley as humans we make mistakes and tragically this mistake has lead to a loss of a young mans life. A tragic accident, i'm sure whatever punishment is given to this young lady will be nothing in comparison in living with the consequences of her actions. Follwing the previous articles printed when the accident occured last year, it has been stated this incident took place around 7pm, in my opinion and most others; it would not be unreasonable to presume (considering the time of year) that it would not have been daylight and more like dusk. Unfortunatley these factors will not change what has happened here. My sympathies go out to Bens family and all parties involved.”
by Neil, Driver
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:43PM
“I seems to me many of you were at the scene of this incident !. I have been a car driver for over 40 years and never had an accident (touch wood) I class myself as lucky,as I know that accidents can happen to anyone who drives on the roads today. It sounds to me this driver made a small mistake that led to the death of Ben. Very sad for both parties and a warning to all us drivers.”
by Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Hull
Friday, March 19 2010, 2:37PM
“How do you manage to kill someone at 10mph?”