A MAN jailed for driving offences following a fatal collision in Ellesmere Port has had his jail term reduced.
Steven Davies was sentenced at Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court to five months in prison.
Davies, 45, of Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port, was found guilty of driving without due care and attention on May 29.
The court heard Davie
s was turning right out of The Boulevard onto Sutton Way, Great Sutton, at about 6pm when he collided with Martyn Bristow, of Shore Close, Great Sutton, who was estimated to be travelling between 35mph and 50mph.
The crash killed Mr Bristow, 32, a father-of-three.
Davies had admitted failing to report an accident and driving while disqualified prior to the two-day trial.
The magistrates imposed no separate sentence for the driving offence, but Robin Boag, defending, appealed against the sentence which was later reduced to four months.
The family of Mr Bristow expressed their anger at the original five-month prison term and have described the reduction as an “insult.”
Mr Bristow’s sister-in-law, Leanne Morris, said: “Four months for a life. So while he got four-months, he will do six-weeks. Not bad for a life, while his parents, sisters, children, and partner will suffer for life.”
During the trial the court heard Davies had several previous driving convictions and was jailed for five months in 1998 for driving whilst disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, dangerous driving and no insurance.
Davies’ co-defendant, Joanne Hollingsworth, 32, also of Sutton Way, admitted obstructing a police officer and permitting the use of an uninsured vehicle.
She was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash and allowed Davies to drive her company car.
Hollingsworth also lied to police and initially told officers she was driving the car.
She will return to the magistrates’ court on June 2 to be sentenced.
The full article contains 326 words and appears in Evening Leader Chester newspaper.
