'We've been handed a life sentence' - wife of cyclist killed by careless driver speaks out

As we wait to hear when the Government will honour our Justice for Joseph campaign and bring in tougher sentences for dangerous drivers, families have been speaking of their heartbreak as lenient sentences are still handed out.

Francesca Wharton lost her husband, Guy, in June 2016. He was a keen cyclist and had gone for an evening ride after work.

She says the first thing she heard was a knock at the door and a police officer was on the other side.

"As soon as that happened, I knew it had to be Guy. I just knew. From that moment it's been soul-destroying - going to identify the body, the funeral, the court case. It's been a living hell"

At Chester Crown Court, Philip Lea Christian, 42 from Buxton, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two and a half years after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving on 14th February.

Francesca, who married Guy in 2001, said: “The pain that I and the rest of the family, feel will not diminish and disappear as a result of this sentencing.

"The pain that I and the rest of the family, feel will not diminish and disappear as a result of this sentencing."

“We acknowledge that sentencing has been handed down, but it does not change the fact that we have been handed a life-sentence and have to live every day without a beloved husband and father because of the actions of this man.

“Guy had such a zest for life, was fit and healthy and loved teaching as well as his cycling and spending time with his family. It is still hard to believe at times he is no longer with us. We continue to miss him dearly.”

Francesca has backed our Justice for Joseph campaign, which calls for tougher sentences for killer drivers.

She says more people need to be aware that a split-second decision could be the difference between a safe drive home and the end of someone's life.

Matthew Garson, an expert serious injury and road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family said: “Road safety is a cause we are passionate about as we see first-hand on a daily basis the impact that collisions can have on people’s lives – particularly vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

“Unfortunately, this is a heartbreaking example of this and the consequences of failing to be fully aware of other road users while driving can be fatal and devastating. Due to Christian’s actions, three children will now have to grow up without their father.

“Nothing is more important than your own safety and the safety of others on the roads. It is vital that people remember this when while driving, particularly on dangerous stretches of road.