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12-month ban for pensioner who didn't see cyclist she killed until he was on her bonnet Justice (Lonpicman, Wikimedia Commons)

12-month ban for pensioner who didn't see cyclist she killed until he was on her bonnet

Judge said the offence resulted from “a second or two moments’ inattention from a lady with an impeccable driving record”
by Alex Bowden
Thu, Apr 11, 2019 15:39
37

A 71-year-old driver from Suffolk has been handed an 18-month community order and a 12-month driving ban after being convicted of causing the death of a cyclist by careless driving. Joan Martino said she did not see 58-year-old Christopher Holt cycling in hi-vis before she hit him.

The BBC reports that Martino’s Toyota Rav 4 was seen to "drift" towards the kerb before hitting Holt on Rainham Road, Rainham, on May 11, 2016.

Holt had been just 150 metres from work when he was hit. He suffered a fracture to his spine and as a result of that injury suffered a pulmonary embolism. He died in hospital four days after the collision.

Prosecutor Ben Temple said: “Put simply in everyday language, this defendant knocked the deceased off his bicycle causing Mr Holt to travel through the air, landing first on the pavement. He then rolled into the road.”

Martino said it had been dry, clear and light and she had been driving in flowing traffic at between 20mph and 25mph.

She stopped at the scene and witnesses said she appeared to be “shaky and in shock”.

Martino denied causing the death of Holt, saying she did not know how the collision occurred.

“It was just a split second and that man was on my bonnet,” she said.

She said she had tried to call Holt over the following days before police arrived to tell her he had died.

“I was just distraught. I didn’t know what was going on because I didn’t know how the accident happened,” she said.

Indicating that she would not jail Munro, Judge Sarah Munro QC told jurors the offence resulted from “a second or two moments’ inattention from a lady with an impeccable driving record” and said there was no dispute it fell into the lowest category.

Christopher Holt
Joan Martino
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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37 comments

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leaway2 | 5 years ago
5 likes

witnesses said she appeared to be “shaky and in shock”. Really! poor dear.

Avatar
Hirsute | 5 years ago
8 likes

He was in hi Viz (not that should make much difference) the speed was 20-25 mph, so how many seconds was he visible for? A bit more than the second or two suggested.
How come the other drivers managed to navigate around him or was it a succession of alarming close passes?
Was she faffing around with the controls in an unfamiliar vehicle and too tired from an early start?

Avatar
janusz0 | 5 years ago
11 likes

A lifetime ban does seem more appropriate.
Furthermore, it seems that the judge has inattentively* omitted a requirement for a retest at the end of the 12 month ban.
* carelessly? dangerously?

Avatar
PRSboy | 5 years ago
16 likes

A cyclist in hi-viz suddenly appeared on her bonnet and she tried to deny it was her fault.  Thank goodness the jury saw through that and convicted, even if the judge did not reciprocate with a suitable punishment.

Please Ms Martino, surrender your licence.  You know its the right thing to do.

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
13 likes

This just a week or so after a motorcyclist was killed on the same road, no doubt due to a similar impeccable driver.

I've had a few near misses lately due to these impeccable drivers on this very road. It's been shut a few times lately due to these impeccable drivers too.

This impeccable driver was distraught enough to escape with a minor ban but not to admit it was 100% her fault.

Cunt.

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
23 likes

I've said this before, but if you kill someone whilst driving and it's your fault, then it should be a lifetime driving ban. It's not like the streets are empty and we need more drivers - let's at least try to remove the most dangerous ones.

Avatar
ktache | 5 years ago
18 likes

This drivers abilities are not going to improve, why only a years ban?

Where is the remorse?

My sympathies to the family and friends of Christopher Holt.

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