Driver Christine Heynes banned after killing Aaron Dennis in crash
Christine Heynes, 61, was given a 12-month disqualification today after being found guilty[1] of causing death by careless driving following a trial over the death of 17-year-old Aaron Dennis.
Heynes pulled out of Chapel Lane[2] onto 40mph limit Botley Road in Curdridge at about 6pm on January 14 last year.
The teenager crashed into Heynes’ VW Caddy while riding his black Yamaha at about 55-63mph.
During her trial prosecutor Barry McElduff said Heynes had “failed to take extra care when turning from Chapel Lane” and that the teenager’s speed did not “absolve Ms Heynes of her responsibility”.
Passing sentence, Judge Nicholas Rowland described the effects of Heynes’ actions as ‘devastating’.
He said: “There is no sentence that can undo what has been done.”
The defendant remained stony-faced when she left the dock at Southampton[4] Crown Court on Friday morning.
Heynes must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and was handed a 12-month community order.
She must also pay a victim surcharge.
During her trial, where she denied the charge, Heynes told the court she only realised what had happened when she saw the teenager lying face down in the road.
Giving evidence, she said: “I looked right. In the distance, there was a light. I assessed I had enough time to manoeuvre to the other side of the road.”
References
- ^ found guilty (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ pulled out of Chapel Lane (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Lorry driver accused of cocaine drug-driving in trip from London to Eastleigh (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Southampton (www.dailyecho.co.uk)