To think that a three year jail sentence is unreasonable for the disabled pedestrian who was found guilty of causing the death of a cyclist

[DotAndCarryOne2]

The Sunday Times and The Guardian carried this story earlier this month and again today, as did GB News. Link is below. I just find it unbelievable that so much relevant information about this lady’s disability was either ignored or dismissed by the judge, and that she didn’t have adequate representation at sentencing.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjj6omaqvr9AhWJbcAKHVv9DMkQFnoECAkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk%2Fhome-news%2Fcyclist-manslaughter-auriol-grey-cambridgeshire-b2294507.html&usg=AOvVaw1yOHhh6F4zfEel6m4EMYpL

A similar thing happened to me not long after this case was reported- I was on a designated cycle path off the road and clearly marked for bikes, and an elderly lady on the adjoining pavement (as I slowed because I didn’t want to scare her) got right in my face and hissed abuse at me. There was no justification- I had every right to be there and was nowhere threatening to her but I’m guessing she just didn’t like cyclists, decided I was on the pavement and needed a good lesson. For all I know she had disabilities or poor vision too. It was terrifying and very upsetting and I can easily see how it could have scared someone such that they would lurch and fall into the road whether or not contact was made. I had both my kids on the bike with me.

So I have little sympathy for someone who couldn’t foresee that stepping into a cyclist’s path and haranguing them might lead to tragedy, or who cared so little for the loss of life that she went off to do her shopping afterwards. And I think the pundits in the tabloid press who are spreading anti cycling hatred should take a long look at themselves.

She pushed an old lady into the road who then died. You think she shouldn’t be punished?

It doesn't matter if she's disabled.

It doesn't matter if she panicked.

It doesn't matter if the cyclist should have been on the pavement.

The bottom line is that her intentional actions led to the death of another woman.

This isn't a case of bumping into someone she didn't see and accidentally knocking the other lady into the road.

She didn't murder her, but she is culpable for her death. Given the consequences, a three-year sentence is comparatively light, but I would say not surprising given the complexity and mitigating circumstances.

Nope. To be honest, didn’t know there were any. Saw the story reported in the Sunday Times today and it seemed to present a very balanced view. Should have known that wouldn’t be the view on MN.

The cyclist didn’t deliberately do something that got someone else killed.

The cyclist didn't deliberately try and force the pedestrian onto the road. The pedestrian is not the law, it is not her job to 'police' other path users. Her deliberate action caused a death.

Why isn't mumsnet a balanced view? Is it because not many people agree with your viewpoint?

Some People here have been familiar with this case from day 1

I don’t think that disability in itself is a reason to escape punishment for anything, But according to the report I read, the fact that those disabilities are mostly down to a brain injury resulting in cognitive and learning disabilities, partial sight and cerebral palsy, haven’t been fully considered in deliberations and the judge seems to be dismissing them despite medical evidence to the contrary.

I don’t understand the sympathies for this woman either. She’s sounds bloody horrible to boot. Imagine leaving a scene like that and going off to do your shopping. Beggars belief. She should’ve got longer.

Nope. To be honest, didn’t know there were any. Saw the story reported in the Sunday Times today and it seemed to present a very balanced view. Should have known that wouldn’t be the view on MN.

Perhaps it didn't present a balanced view. Perhaps other people know more about it as they haven't only read one article today.

Have you seen the video?

YABU OP. Cycling on the road doesn't carry a death sentence. Causing someone else's death does carry a sentence. Someone is dead and even the most dubious of mit circs can't resurrect them.

Not to mention the fact her disgusting behaviour has resulted in the driver suffering from PTSD & has separated from her husband as a result. They have 2 young children who now have separated parents

Other people have said she was regularly aggressive. She deserves everything she got. In 18 months she'll be out. The other lives will still be ruined

I'm pretty sure the family of the lady she killed would disagree with you. My sympathy lies with them, not this woman.

Why don't you share the balanced Sunday Times article?

If you look at all of the footage on the various newspaper articles you can see the blue sign on the road indicating the path is shared by pedestrians and cyclists

So what do you think her punishment should be for causing the death of that poor lady?

Everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint, but the reactions I’m getting here are completely at odds with the report I read today. I’ve been aware of this case for a while too, just wasn’t aware of the apparent severity of the disabilities involved.

The trial wasn’t about whether the cyclist should have been on the path or not. The judge probably asked the jury not to even consider it when making the decision. You can see from the video that she wasn’t panicked. She was aggressive and moved towards the cyclist. I would imagine she wasn’t planning for her to die or it would have been a murder trial, but she was the cause of her death. I do find 3 years a bit much but from the judges comments it should have been 4 by the guidelines.

Are you saying 2.4m isn’t wide enough for a cyclist and wheelchair user to safely pass each other?
She’s an aggressive moron who murdered someone - the sentence isn’t long enough by any stretch.

Can’t find a way to link it, or I would. The link keeps failing, possibly because it’s behind a paywall - I have a subscription.

We've already got one of these.

Too many people get sucked into these ridiculous Netflix crime series and think every case involving a middle aged white person as the perpetrator must be called into question.

The hooha around this case is weird to the point it feels like there’s an activist group behind it.

So you think that despite being partially blind, having cerebral palsy and cognitive and learning disabilities, she should be imprisoned for panicking at the sight of someone riding a bike in her impaired line of sight ?

I don't think her learning disabilities were mentioned as a defence, nor should they be. She was aggressive and made contact with the cyclist causing her to fall to her death. She deserves longer than 3 years. She's an aggressive prick and hopefully the time in jail will sort her aggression.

You post on all of these threads, and you come across as a horrible aggressive person.