Death by careless driving sentence appeal fails

AG's Chambers had said it was too lenient

The Attorney General's Chambers has been unsuccessful in its appeal against the sentence imposed on a Sulby woman who killed a cyclist. 

In July, 63-year-old Linda Thompson was given an 18-month prison term, suspended for two years, after admitting causing death by careless driving. 

Physiotherapist Kathryn Burge was fatally injured when out cycling in Kirk Michael last year. 

This afternoon, Judge of Appeal Geoffrey Tattersall, Deemster Doyle and Deemster Sir Michael Birt QC upheld the original sentence.

The Attorney General's Chambers presented its appeal on the basis the original sentence was 'unduly lenient'. 

The court heard how several witnesses described Mrs Thompson's driving as 'erratic' and to a 'very poor' standard in the moments before the collision. 

The defence argued that considering her early guilty pleas and genuine remorse shown by Mrs Thompson, the sentence imposed was most appropriate.

Judge of Appeal Geoffrey Tattersall concluded by saying the case was a tragedy, not only for the family and loved ones of Kathryn Burge, but also for Mrs Thompson.