Dad slams sentence handed to driver

FURY THAT PRISON WAS AVOIDED AFTER CRASH

THE dad of a schoolgirl injured in a drink-drive crash has slammed the sentence handed down to the irresponsible driver.

Helen Simpkin was almost three times the legal drink-drive limit when she crashed on the A19 northbound, near Sunderland, on April 29.

Seven-year-old Isobella Lamb suffered facial injuries in the smash, and was rushed to Sunderland Royal Infirmary along with her friend for treatment.

The Gateshead schoolgirl has made a full physical recovery, but dad Peter says she continues to suffer with nightmares and is “scared” every time she enters a car.

Simpkin pleaded guilty to drinkdriving at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on September 4, and was given a two-year driving ban and £500 fine.

But Peter claims he was only made aware of the outcome this week, and says the family feel “let down” by the justice system.

He said: “As parents we should have been informed of the hearings so we could go and hear her explain herself.

“I’m so angry and I feel justice has not been served.

“She’s moved on with her life and we’re left picking up the pieces with Bella.

“Three times over the limit, she knew she should not have been driving.

“Not only has she put herself at risk, she’s put my Bella’s life at risk too.

“What was she thinking? There’s no excuse.”

Isobella, now eight years old, had enjoyed a day out with a friend before the one-vehicle crash.

Peter, 38, from Heworth, was not with his daughter at the time, and described the call he received minutes later as “life changing”.

He said: “I just dropped and was in shock. Isobella’s mum, Lisa, was a mess.

“At the time I had no idea how bad Bella’s injuries were.”

Peter looked after nine-year-old son, Jacob, while Lisa texted him updates from Isobella’s bedside.

Speaking on the impact of the crash upon his daughter, he added: “Injury-

wise, she’s fine now.

“Her face was swollen and she had a slight fracture in her leg, but in general she’s not herself.

“She has nightmares and she’s a very nervous passenger now. “These are long-term effects; Bella always tells us she’s scared in the car.” Simpkin, 43, of Kenmore Close, Wardley, was found to have 219mgs of alcohol per 100ml of blood in her system. The legal drink-drive limit is 80mgs. But Simpkin – who was also ordered to pay court costs of £150 – avoided a prison sentence and walked free from court. Furious Peter believes she has been let off easily and should have spent a spell behind bars.

He finished: “If Bella had died, what would the punishment have been? “Would the fine have been lifted to £1,000?

“Is that all my daughter’s safety is worth?

“She’ll have to some bills around for a month and that’s it.

“She’s shown no remorse for what she has done.”

Is that all my daughter’s safety is worth? Bella always tells us she’s scared in the car. Peter Lamb, dad