Well I took the day off work a few weeks ago to go to Tiny's inquest....
A) support his sister and family
B) hear what happened
C) see the little sh1t that caused yet another massive hole in mine, my wifes and literally hundreds of other lives by taking our very good friend out! even if 'indirectly'
I was a little late arriving even though I'd set off in plenty of time (long story). Anyway's I needn't have worried cos although he'd been summonsed to appear before the inquest, the toe rag didn't have the decency or respect to turn up!
After delaying the start of the inquest for 1/2 an hour while they rung him (phone swicthed off), judge issued warrant and sent Police out to his home and employer to bring him in. Ajourned till 12:30! So we mooched about in Harrogate for 1 1/2 hours!
He arrived under his own steam (bus) in afternoon!
Judge could've imprisoned just for that, or fined up to a few thousand pounds!
Asked for explanation, kid mumbles "didn't know, didn't receive summons" - Yeah right!
Judge let him off!!!
Turns out he'd actually been in a left hand side turning chatting to his mate before he was going to pull across road to drop him off!
When examined his Clio seats were 'reclined' a long way back! Judge commented on it as he'd tried reconstructing using his own wife's Clio and was approx same height as the kid! Said it was very uncomfortable nigh on impossible to drive with seats like that!
Kid said he drove car upright, but reclined seat as he found it uncomfortable and restricting if it was upright!
Accident investigators weren't sent to scene till almost 2 weeks after accident as Tiny hadn't died initially.
Seats reclined and limited view of the RHS due to it mentioned.
My mate reckoned he saw front of car drop back and shortly after pull out, ie maneovering as couldn't get round in one.
Accident investgator confirmed impossible to get round in one with that car etc.
Kid reckoned he could and did!
All measurements taken from witness statements etc gave him 90M 'clear' view of oncoming bikes from RHS - can't remember how many seconds in plain view at 30MPH max but quite a few! Independant witness confirmed relatively low speed - Mate who was with him and Tiny's statement at time confirmed as road was damp and had lots of wet leaves about.
Still he pulled out!
He saw the car coming from the left (independant witness) but not the 3 'staggered formation' bikes with headlights blazing!!!! (all new bikes minimum dipped beam).
Everytime the no doubt 'spoilt little rich kid' opened his mouth he mumbled and shrugged - typical 'don't care, don't give a toss' teenage attitude!
I was going to take leave to go to the court case, glad I didn't I'd deffo have been locked up or fined for contempt of court after that shambolic sentence!
Tiny's sister had said that she didn't want him to go down for it and was going to tell the judge (in inquest so but didn't as I'd advised he no apportioning of blame, sentencing etc). Whether she did yesterday at court or not I don't know - but I think that sentence is an absolute disgrace!
Going to speak to Pat or pop in tomorrow so I'll see what she has o say about it, I can't imagine she'll be happy with it.
Bloody big rant over - I think
