Drivers jailed for death of cyclist after road rage "racing" in County Durham
Dad of 2, Graham Pattison, from Hartlepool, died after sustaining fatal injuries in the incident, near Sedgefield
Two drivers have been jailed for killing a cyclist as they raced side-by-side on a dual carriageway in County Durham.
Paige Robinson, 24, and David Ferry, 45, both blamed each other for the collision on the A689 near Sedgefield on the 24th of July, 2020.
Dad of 2, Graham Pattison from Hartlepool died after suffering fatal injuries in the incident.
The pair had reached speeds of nearly 70 miles an hour - before Robinson's Ford Fiesta clipped Mr Pattison's bike, flinging the 49 year old forty metres into the air.
The prosecution said that they had been racing for more than a mile in a road rage incident.
A Victim statement was read; begging drivers to think of the agony faced by victims’ families every time they got behind the wheel.
Judge Jonathan Carroll said it was senseless and appalling dangerous driving in which Robinson had been egged on by her boyfriend - who was a passenger - and Ferry had intimidated her.
A 7 day trial at Teesside Crown Court last month saw a jury find them both guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
David Ferry, a former army officer from Redcar was jailed for 8 years and disqualified from driving for 8 years.
Paige Robinson, a care worker from Billingham, was jailed for 7 years and 9 months, and disqualified for 7.5 years.
They both must also pass an extended driving test before they are allowed back behind the wheel in future.