Drink-driver hit and killed cyclist, 76
ADRINK-DRIVER killed a grandfather after his van struck the victim’s bike but he was so intoxicated he carried on driving.
The killer was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit after consuming vodka and cider.
Matthew Clemo, 51, killed 76-year-old Michael Partridge in a collision in Bedwas, Caerphilly, on September 25 last year.
Mr Partridge died at the scene 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, only coming to a stop after his airbags were deployed. Clemo was just minutes from his own home, having driven from work in Bristol, and had been drinking vodka from a bottle in the van.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday 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 defendant drifted onto the wrong side of the road in the residential street and was just over the speed limit of 30mph.
Despite clipping a parked van, Clemo continued driving and later collided with Mr Partridge, who was riding his bike on the right side of the road. Even after the fatal collision, the defendant carried on driving until he collided with another vehicle.
Mr Partridge was treated at the scene by paramedics and Heli ambulance crew but he died at the scene, having sustained multiple injuries that were unsurvivable.
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 and 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. Mr Jones said 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.”