Justice for Susan..? Family dares to hope
HIT and run victim Susan Fuller’s family have been given hope the driver who fatally mowed her down could be locked up for longer.
The mum of three was left with no chance of survival after Sean Herman smashed into her outside her home in Howdon, Wallsend.
And her loved ones were dealt further devastation when the killer was locked up for just seven years after pleading guilty to manslaughter, and he was told he may only serve half that sentence behind bars.
Now, Susan’s husband of 35 years, David, says he is hopeful something can be done to get justice for his beloved wife.
Since Herman was sentenced last Monday, the family have met with police and the Crown Prosecution Service and they hope to appeal the sentence on the grounds that it is ‘unduly lenient.’
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for Herman’s jail term to be increased.
David says the public support has helped his family through their difficult week.
The 65-year-old said: “It is a comfort to know that people agree with us. It is nice to know that so many people responded and are also disgusted by the sentence.”
Susan, 63, was outside her home, on Coldstream Gardens, when Herman ploughed into her while behind the wheel of an Audi.
The slight grandmother was pinned against a wall and her sons, Barrie, 37, Dale, 30, and 28-yearold Scott, watched helplessly as the car drove over her, causing catastrophic injuries.
Herman was arrested soon after and charged with murder, and the Fuller brothers began preparing to take to the witness stand and relive the moment they watched their mum die.
But the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the Crown Prosecution Service accepted the plea and the murder case was dropped. Herman was sentenced to seven years by the Judge, Mr Justice Goss. Since the hearing, at Newcastle Crown Court, the Fullers have made a complaint to the CPS. “We had a meeting with the CPS on Monday and the police. The police were of the same opinion as ourselves, they thought the sentence should be double figures,” said David. “It is just disgusting that someone can take someone’s life and probably only serve three years behind bars. They have sent a message out to the general public that you can run somebody down with a car and then show remorse and it’s OK. We thought it would be cut and dried.” “Unfortunately there are pretty clear guidelines for murder sentences, but not for manslaughter. The system is a joke.” Susan was a popular member of the community in Howdon and had worked at the Ministry – now known as Benton Park View – in Longbenton and Wills factory in Wallsend. David said: “We went to the same school and we moved in the same circle of friends. I shared a flat with her and her sister when I was working abroad, then when I came back we got together and we got married when I was 28.
“I have known her since she was 14 years old. Susan has never done any harm to anyone in her life. She was a kind, generous person. She loved animals.
“She doted on the lads. Everybody that she knew thought the world of her. When we retired we were going to sell the house and move to Northumberland. Somewhere with a bit of land. All that has gone now.”
Herman, of Tillmouth Avenue in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, who has a previous conviction for careless driving, was also banned from driving for three years after his release.
Lynsey Colling, legal manager of the Crown Court Unit for CPS North East, said: “CPS Counsel met with representatives of the Fuller family on two occasions, prior to the trial, to discuss some of the issues around this case.
“Counsel also explained how the case would be kept under continuous review, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”
She added: “We remain keenly aware of the distress that the death of Susan Fuller has caused her family and our thoughts remain with all of them at this difficult time.”