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Original poster

AIBU to think that 61 days in prison for killing someone is an insult?

999 replies

Steaksauce · 21/02/2018 18:59

In December 2016, a friend of mine, Andy Lindup was run over and left to die in the road by the man who hit him. He was 36.

The person responsible hid his van with its broken windscreen caused when he hit my friend and kept it to himself for a fortnight until he was traced by police.

Because he left the scene, that's all he could be charged with as other evidence (drinking for example) couldn't be proven.
As a result, he was given 4 months in prison and served only 61 days. For taking a life.

Andy's family are campaigning to get the law changed so that leaving the scene carries the same sentence as death by dangerous driving. The way the law is at the moment, there is almost an incentive to drive away.

The petition is here petition.parliament.uk/petitions/208008

And some more detail about the case and the campaign from Andy's dad here: eveshamobserver.co.uk/news/hit-and-run-family-in-sentence-review-call/

Please sign the petition, this crime is tragically so common and devastates so many lives and the sentences given out are a joke and an insult to grieving families.
It's not the judges and the police at fault, the man who killed Andy was given the maximum sentence for that charge, it's the law that's wrong.

Thank you for reading and for signing and feel free to share on Facebook/Twitter/anywhere else to help raise the profile of this campaign.

OP posts:
Madonnasmum · 17/03/2018 09:19

Signed!

Waddlelikeapenguin · 17/03/2018 11:44

Bump

Whatsmymethod · 17/03/2018 17:04

3693

Original poster
Steaksauce · 17/03/2018 20:44

Bump

OP posts:
Waddlelikeapenguin · 18/03/2018 01:11

Up up up

5plusMeAndHim · 18/03/2018 06:49

Is there Any evidence that the driver was t fault in causing the collision? You cannot assume he was

DownWentTheFlag · 18/03/2018 06:53

Signed

TheHuffAndPuffALot · 18/03/2018 07:23

Signed and bumping for traffic

NeverTwerkNaked · 18/03/2018 07:29

5plus he left the scene and left a dying man and hid his van Hmm

NeverTwerkNaked · 18/03/2018 07:30

Signed.
My first boyfriend was knocked down by a car and killed. We were 19.
Every time we get in a car we should be conscious we are in control Of something with the potential to kill. Legislation should reflect this too.

NeverTwerkNaked · 18/03/2018 07:32

Ps. So sorry for your loss op

MrsCalypsoGrant · 18/03/2018 07:42

Signed, which brings it up to 3701

Original poster
Steaksauce · 18/03/2018 12:28

@5plusMeAndHim well he was found guilty in court so I'd say yes there was.

This thread is not about whether or not he is guilty (because he has been found to be guilty). This is about raising awareness of a loophole in the law that means victims and their families sometimes find justice isn't done.

Your post shows a massive lack of respect to not only my friend but also all the other posters on this thread who have shared heartbreaking stories of the loss of loved ones at the hands of irresponsible people behind the wheel.

OP posts:
Original poster
Steaksauce · 18/03/2018 12:30

@NeverTwerkNaked I'm sorry for your loss, especially when you were both so young.

You're absolutely right. My dad told me when I started driving lessons that a car can be as lethal as a loaded gun if handled badly. I've never forgotten that.

OP posts:
mum11970 · 18/03/2018 12:36

Signed

NeverTwerkNaked · 18/03/2018 15:17

steaksauce I use the loaded gun analogy to try and explain the responsibility too. It shocks me how cavalier some people are about it. I saw a school mum driving past our infant school at drop off the other morning while looking at her phone Angry

rumbelina · 18/03/2018 15:30

Signed. It’s horrendous what people get away with on the roads.

4yoniD · 18/03/2018 15:51

Signed before. 3715....

5plusMeAndHim · 18/03/2018 15:55

The article does not say anything about him being to blame for the accident- it says there was no there is no evidence and no witnesses.
He was found guilty of leaving the scene, which is by no means an admission of guilt (many people would be shit scared even if they weren't at fault)
Leaving the scene is what he is being punished for - how can he be punished for killing this man with no evidence?.Often pedestrians and cyclists are killed and it is there own fault.The man may have stepped out in front of the car. I don't mean to sound callous because I am very sorry for your loss and it is a very emotive subject.But the law has to deal with FACTS logically and rationally.

maxthemartian · 18/03/2018 15:57

5plus shame on you.

hibbledibble · 18/03/2018 16:46

Signed.

I agree there should be a tougher sentence for leaving the scene.

It frustrates a police investigation and is very upsetting victims and families. It is absolutely wrong.

5plus the result of him leaving the scene is that little is known as to the circumstances. If he was genuinely distressed and panicked by the accident he could have called police to report it within 24 hours. By leaving the scene he also meant that the victim experienced a delay in receiving first aid and medical assistance. This is because he neither provided first aid, nor called an ambulance. This is inexcusable.

MyFavouritePlace · 18/03/2018 16:48

Signed.

I'm sorry for your loss x

NeverTwerkNaked · 18/03/2018 16:56

5plus he left a man dying by the side of the road and you’re defending him Hmm

tinytemper66 · 18/03/2018 17:01

done

dustyparadeground · 18/03/2018 17:21

Signed, now standing at 3723. Just also want to say 5plus is simply playing "devils advocate" and there is no shame in that. What needs to be done is a far stiffer sentence for leaving the scene and not assisting by at least calling an ambulance