Drink-driver ‘couldn’t remember’ the crash that killed beloved grandfather
A DRIVER who killed a grandfather after his van struck the victim’s bike was so intoxicated he carried on driving.
Matthew Clemo, 51, was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit after consuming vodka and cider.
Michael Partridge, 76, died at the scene in Bedwas, Caerphilly, on September 25 last year as a result of his injuries after being crushed between the van and a parked car.
The driver, who also had a low level of cannabis and painkillers in his system at the time of the crash, continued driving and collided with parked vehicles but only came to a stop after his airbags were deployed.
Clemo had driven from work in Bristol, and was drinking vodka from a bottle in the van.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday April 26, heard Clemo was driving a Ford Transit along Pandy Road just before 1pm while extremely intoxicated, later registering 96mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.
The defendant drifted on to the wrong side of the road in the built-up residential street and was just over the speed limit of 30mph.
Despite clipping a parked van, Clemo continued driving and later hit Mr Partridge, who was riding his bike on the right side of the road.
The defendant carried on driving until he collided with another vehicle.
Mr Partridge was treated at the scene by paramedics and a helicopter ambulance crew, but died at the scene having sustained multiple injuries.
In a victim personal statement read out to the court, Mr Partridge’s wife Pamela said: “Mike loved his daughter Claire and son Daniel dearly, and his four grandchildren were very precious to him.
“He was a funny, playful grandfather who could make the children happy and there would be lots of laughter when he was with them.
“On the day he was killed, he was cycling to meet me, along with the three youngest grandchildren in Machen Park.
“He was late and I wondered where he was as I knew he would want to be with me and the children as he enjoyed it so much.”
She added: “Trying to cope with his death and the traumatic way that he died is almost impossible.
“It has left me struggling to deal with the consequences of his demise both emotionally, administratively and financially and I wonder if I shall ever get some normality of life back again.
“It is as though the day and the way in which he died has almost killed me and destroyed my family.
“We are trying to pull together through the trauma to keep his memory alive, especially for the grandchildren, and to move on and live life without him.”
Judge Nicola Saffman said: “Mr Partridge was a 76-year-old retired gentleman, who worked hard all his life in the steelworks.
“He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather and his family have been severely impacted.”
Clemo was arrested and was described as being so drunk he was unable to stand up on his own. Police discovered an empty vodka bottle in the van.
In his police interview, he said he had no recollection of the collision.
The defendant, now of Daniel Street, Barry, later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard he had 25 previous convictions which included 26 driving offences including dangerous driving, vehicle taking and driving with excess alcohol.
In mitigation, Jeffrey Jones said his client was an alcoholic who had previously attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and had been drinking on the day of Mr Partridge’s death due to feeling “low” over his busy work schedule.
He said Clemo has a 10-year-old son and since his conviction he has divorced his wife and moved away from the Bedwas area.
He added the defendant was “remorseful and upset” about Mr Partridge’s death and has resigned from his job.
During her sentencing comments, Judge Saffman thanked Mr Partridge’s family for the dignity they had shown during the hearing.
Clemo was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, of which he will serve half in custody, and was disqualified from driving for 12 years.
In a statement released at the time of Mr Partridge’s death, his family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Vernon Partridge, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, who died on Saturday, September 25.
“He was taken from us too early in tragic circumstances doing what he loved. Dedicated to his family, he loved his time with his grandchildren, often playing and teasing them into fits of laughter.
“He was also a devoted husband who loved the harbour in Weymouth, watching boats and listening to the ocean waves with wife Pamela.
“A former Llanwern steelworker, painter and decorator, he was a man who worked hard and loved life.
“His other passions were music – he was involved with Aber Valley Male Voice Choir for many years and until recently Caerphilly Male Voice Choir – and rugby, where he volunteered and was a committee member with Bedwas Rugby Club.”