Death- crash sentence
Widow of crash victim tells court of her ‘ life sentence’
A WIDOW has told of her life sentence as the motorist who killed her husband was jailed for 16 months. Christine Hamilton read a statement to Durham Crown Court.
A WIDOW has told of her life sentence as the motorist who killed her husband was jailed for 16 months.
Christine Hamilton read a statement to Durham Crown Court as Anthony Shelton was sentenced.
Shelton was driving his Mitsubishi pick- up when he pulled across the path of motorcyclist Neil Hamilton, 60, of Offerton Close, South Hylton.
Mrs Hamilton, 55, said: “I didn’t get the chance to hold my husband and thank him for the time we had together.
“There will be no one who can replace him for me, I will be on my own for the rest of my life.
“I have lost my soulmate and best friend, that is my sentence.”
Mrs Hamilton said she worries about the impact of her husband’s death on their sons Mark and Christopher, and on the family’s finances. Mr Hamilton, a teacher and motorbike tutor for RoSPA, died on April 3, last year.
Prosecutor David Lamb said Shelton attempted a right turn off the B6301, near Tow Law, and pulled across the path of Mr Hamilton’s oncoming BMW motorcycle.
He said: “He told police he simply did not see the motorcycle, and there is no suggestion either party was speeding.”
Shelton, 51, of Castle View, Esh Winning, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Stephen Duffield, defending, said his client is a decent and hard- working family man who is genuinely remorseful. Judge Paul Watson QC jailed Shelton for 16 months and banned him from driving for two years. He must take an extended test if he wishes to drive again.
Following the case, Mrs Hamilton said: “The sentence that Mr Shelton has received today will hopefully give him time to reflect on the impact that losing my husband Neil has had on me and my sons, as well as our family and the many friends who miss him so much.
“I found no comfort in Mr Shelton pleading guilty on the first day of the scheduled trial in February as he could have pleaded guilty at any time during the past 11 months since the collision.
“This would have saved myself and my family the immense stress and heartache of having to endure those months of waiting for a trial that never happened, feeling cheated that he didn’t have to stand up in court and fully admit his guilt, and give an account of his actions when he took the life of my husband.”