Driver who killed ‘role model mum and gran’ is spared jail
CAR WAS SEEN SWERVING ON TO WRONG
A DRIVER who killed a “role model” mother and grandmother when he ploughed into a group of motorcyclists in Derbyshire has been spared a jail term.
Derby Crown Court heard how victim Tina Clifford was out riding with her husband and friends when she was struck by a car driven by Alexander Caldicott.
The 28-year-old’s sentencing hearing heard how moments before the collision, his car was seen swerving on to the wrong side of the road.
The Toyota Rav 4 he was driving struck his victim, who was at the front of the group of three riders coming in the opposite direction.
The Harley Davidson she was riding flipped her over his car and left her with fatal injuries.
Caldicott, who had been driving back home from playing golf in Sheffield, also hit the Harley Davidson of Mrs Clifford’s husband, Steve, leaving him with serious injuries.
Handing the defendant a six-month prison term, suspended for two years, Judge Shaun Smith QC said: “Where does any judge begin when so many lives have been changed forever by a single, careless, act?
“I say ‘careless’ not to demean the
life of Tina Clifford and the devastating effect it has had on her husband, Steve, her family and friends.
“It was two seconds, perhaps less, when your carelessness took her life.
“The collision expert concludes (what happened) was some sort of distraction or moment of inattention, but he was unable to offer a definitive reason for that.”
Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said the incident happened on the B6012 in Beeley, near Chatsworth estate, at around 5pm on Sunday, July 26, last year.
He said Mrs Clifford was riding with the Chesterfield-based Chrome Hill Chapter of Harley Davidson owners when she was struck by the defendant’s car.
Mr James-Moore said: “A witness who was behind him saw him veer to the left on the grass bank and then veer right over the central reservation as though he had panicked. She saw the motorcycle flip over the car.
“Another witness driving ahead of the defendant’s car heard a ‘pop’ and looked back to see what had happened. She stopped, called 999 and went over to the defendant who said to her ‘they came out of nowhere, it’s not my fault.’”
In a victim impact statement, read to the court by Mr James-Moore, Mr Clifford said: “Tina was beautiful and intelligent person who was the love of my life. We’d had many adventures in the 23 years we have been together and had many more planned for the future.
“All of that was snatched from me in July last year.
“My life has now become unbearable and I am yet to come to terms with the loss of Tina.
“We have four children, two of mine of two of Tina’s and three grandchildren. She was the perfect role model for them all. She was my life and my soulmate.”
The defendant, of Bonsall Lane, Brightgate, Matlock, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at an earlier hearing at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 16.
John Dye, mitigating, said his client had no previous convictions of any kind, but accepted what he did crossed the custodial threshold.
As part of the suspended sentence, Judge Smith ordered Caldicott to carry out 300 hours’ unpaid work and handed him a six-month curfew. He also disqualified him from driving for six months.
SIDE OF ROAD MOMENTS BEFORE CRASH