An 84-year-old man, Terrence Bunnett, has managed to avoid a jail sentence after a tragic incident where he knocked down and killed a cyclist on New Year’s Day. The victim, Martin Skinner, was cycling back home after visiting his wife in a residential care home when the accident occurred at the junction of St Julian’s Avenue and Caerleon Road in Newport.
During the court proceedings at Newport Crown Court, it was revealed that Bunnett, who had gone out to buy bread, failed to see Mr. Skinner at the junction, leading to the fatal collision. The prosecution highlighted that Mr. Skinner, aged 61, was not displaying lights on his bike at the time of the incident. Witnesses described the heartbreaking scene of Mr. Skinner trapped under Bunnett’s car, with efforts to free him proving unsuccessful until firefighters arrived.
In a statement read in court, Mrs. Skinner described her late husband as her “soul mate” and detailed the emotional impact of his sudden death. Despite the defendant’s claim of not seeing the cyclist due to a vision impairment from his past, the court found him guilty of causing death by careless driving. Bunnett expressed deep remorse and regret for his actions, acknowledging the immeasurable loss suffered by Mr. Skinner’s family.
Ultimately, Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Bunnett to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and imposed a two-year driving ban along with the requirement to pass an extended test before driving again. The judge acknowledged the void left in the lives of Mr. Skinner’s loved ones and offered condolences to the family during the sentencing. In light of the guidelines, the judge recognized that no sentence could fill the loss experienced by the victim’s family.
The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences of careless driving. Mrs. Skinner’s poignant statement in court highlighted the profound impact of losing a loved one in such a sudden and tragic manner. The case underscores the need for all road users to exercise caution and vigilance to prevent such heartbreaking accidents in the future. As the community continues to mourn the loss of Martin Skinner, the hope is that his memory will serve as a reminder to prioritise safety on the roads for all.