Victim's family express frustration with the legal system as hit and run driver is sentenced

The family of a Hampshire man killed by a hit and run driver, who left the scene of the accident without even calling for an ambulance, have expressed their disbelief and frustration at the sentence given to him today at Winchester Crown Court.

Trevor Bird, who was 52 and lived in Tadley, was walking home with his son, Peter, on 15 November 2008, when they were both hit by a vehicle driven by Jason Doyle. Trevor Bird sustained multiple injuries and was killed as a result of the impact. Peter was injured but survived. Mr Doyle's vehicle appeared to veer out of control at the time of the incident. He subsequently admitted to driving in excess of the speed limit and to have knowingly been in charge of a vehicle that was unsafe, as it had two defective tyres. Mr Doyle did not try to assist Mr Bird after the impact and left the scene of the accident without calling an ambulance. He finally handed himself in to the police 12 hours after the incident.

Last month, after a lengthy police investigation, Jason Doyle was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Today he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in the presence of Mr Bird's family and friends.

Elizabeth Boyd was engaged to Mr Bird and was his long term partner. She has been devastated by the loss of Trevor, 'the love of her life', in such traumatic circumstances. Her loss has been compounded by Mr Doyle's behaviour after the accident.

Ms Boyd said today that her whole life has been destroyed by the actions of Jason Doyle and an accident which was completely avoidable. She and Trevor had been planning their retirement together and were still discussing wedding plans. Since the accident she has struggled to carry on with her life and work. .

Speaking outside court, Ms Boyd commented on how hard it has been to see Mr Doyle driving around the locality in the interim period between the accident and the hearing today. She also called for much tougher penalties for hit and run drivers: "It seems so unfair that someone can be responsible for the death of another person through dangerous driving but be allowed to carry on behind the wheel of the car while the investigation is ongoing. I do think the law needs to be changed. If a person shoots someone, we do not give him another gun so why, when someone kills a person in a car, are they allowed to drive while they are on bail? The law should be changed and a licence revoked immediately pending further investigation. All too often in the papers we are reading of yet another person being killed by a hit and run driver. The maximum prison sentence is 14 years - why is it that many of these offenders are getting let off lightly? We need tougher penalties so no other family has to endure what we have gone through in the last 10 months."

Philippa Luscombe, head of the personal injury team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP, who is representing Ms Boyd, said: "The last 10 months has been an extremely difficult time for Liz Boyd and Trevor Bird's family. Trevor was a much loved family man and popular in the local community. It is a tragedy to have lost someone in such avoidable circumstances. No sentence can ever make up for what they have lost or the fact that this should never have happened. Four years is a very disappointing sentence, bearing in mind the impact of Mr Doyle's negligence and his actions after the event. We hope that this sad story may make other young drivers take more care, particularly when driving in residential areas."