CARELESS DRIVING LEFT OUR HEARTS BROKEN
Widow of motorcyclist killed by pensioner’s error says ‘life will never be the same again’
THE wife of a much-loved biker revealed how her life changed forever the day he was killed in a crash caused by a pensioner who wasn’t paying attention to the road.
In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, Gareth Wyn Roberts’ wife, Jemma said her life stopped at the sight of a police officer at her door.
There were sobs as her words were read out at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court last Thursday after Raymond Kitching pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention.
The 79-year-old of Trearddur Road, Trearddur Bay, was given a suspended jail term after admitting pulling out into the path of 53-year-old Mr Roberts on Lon Sant Ffraid in Trearddur Bay at 11.30am on May 30 last year.
Sarah Marsh, prosecuting, said the road was clear, there were no obstructions, it was a sunny day and he had “ample opportunity” to see the oncoming motorcycle.
She said a witness in the car behind Kitching, who was indicating to turn right, had seen Mr Roberts herself, and believed the pensioner wasn’t going to make the turn, but he did.
Mr Roberts, known to friends as “Gonk”, did all he could to avoid the car but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Marsh said: “This is more than a momentary lapse, he hasn’t paid full attention to the road when he made that turn in front of the motorcyclist.”
In a victim impact statement written by Mr Roberts’ widow, Jemma, she said it was the “second hardest thing” she has ever had to write – the first being her husband’s eulogy.
“I had not expected to have to do that for at least another 30 years. I secretly hoped I’d be the one to go first,” she wrote.
The statement added: “We lived a quiet, simple and private life. “Our marriage was strong and we enjoyed 32 years together.” The couple, who had two sons, both worked hard in demanding roles and enjoyed coming home to their little family at the end of the day and leaving their stresses at the door, but Jemma has since had to give up work because of the impact of Gareth’s death. Jemma said: “I miss his infectious laughter, hugs and support, he always lifted our spirits.
“Our boys lost an amazing father and friend who taught them, like him, to treat everyone with respect and much kindness.
“My heart breaks every time I look at them.”
She went on to say: “Life stopped for me on May 30 with the sight of a police officer at my door.
“We had just got back from a break away and Gareth had just popped out for petrol for his motorbike.
“Life without Gareth will never be the same again.
“Eight months on and it’s still no easier.
“I put on a brave face outside but return home to an empty house without the man who meant everything to me.
“Every day I wake up is another day without him.
“My boys are trying to deal with life without him.
“One careless action in the space of a heartbeat has left me and my sons heartbroken.”
Defence barrister, Jonathan Lally said Kitching, who retired at the age of 75 after working for the Office for National Statistics and Stena Line, had been driving home after a walk, along a route he had driven many times.
He said: “This is a tragic case for all concerned, mainly for the family.
“No one can help but be moved by the victim impact statement and Mr Kitching wants me to offer condolences on his behalf, as he did during his police interview.
“He has always accepted his involvement.
“The only explanation is that he simply didn’t see the motorcyclist, it was not the case of him chancing it.
“It was a tragic decision thinking the road was clear when it wasn’t.
“He has made a permanent change to a number of people’s lives as a result of this and that is a sentence he has already been experiencing, although it pales into insignificance to the experiences of others.”
Chair of the bench Gordon Browne said: “This is a difficult case for all involved and we offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family.
“This was more than a momentary lapse of attention...It is clear you were not paying attention and there was a high level of carelessness.
“This is a very sad case.”
Told the offence had crossed the custody threshold, Kitching was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody, suspended for two years – reduced to 16 weeks for his early guilty plea.
He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for three years as well as being ordered to take a retest before he can drive again after that period.
He will also pay costs of £200.