Press Release - Jade Clark
Dear Mr Collins,
I'd like to hear your opinion on the attached press release from the Motorcycle Action Group.
It seems incredible that in age where road safety and law and order are high on the Government's agenda that Mr Hampton was given such a light sentence for causing the death of Jade.
What message does this send? Drive whilst disqualified and kill someone and get two years, no doubt released sooner after remission.
Where was the deterrent?
That trying to hide the crime is twice the tariff than killing someone?
Time for the law and order party to pull its finger out.
As a Kent MP I urge you to take this seriously and to seek a review of Mr Hampton's sentence and also to get the right authorities to look at the sentencing guidelines.
Thank you.
Paul Devall
Hythe CT21 6QZ
Begin forwarded message:
From: Central Office <central-office@mag-uk.org>
Date: 20 September 2013 11:10:56 BST
Subject: [mag-uk-list] Press Release re Jade Clark
<<PRESS RELEASE, 20/09/2013 – FOR IMMEDIATE USE>>
The Motorcycle Action Group is pleased that Brian Hampton has been brought
to Justice over causing the death of 16 year old Jade Clark, while driving
his Volvo XC90 in February this year. However, they feel the sentence handed
down by Judge Samuel Wiggs, is woefully inadequate.
Hampton received a two year sentence for causing death by careless driving.
An additional four year sentence was imposed for Perverting the Course of
Justice. The sentences will run consecutively.
Hampton, who was an ex-paramedic, was driving while disqualified for drink
driving. He denies knowledge of the accident, yet drove around Jade and fled
the scene, leaving her laying in the middle of a busy road. He later
attempted to cover his tracks by having his car repaired. He lied to both
his wife, and the garage where the car was repaired, as to the circumstances
behind the damage.
MAG applauds the work of the police in bringing Hampton to Justice,
considering the large amount of resources used. They inspected around 1,400
Volvo XC90's before identifying the driver. They described Jade as quite an
experienced rider, despite her age.
MAG understands that the Judge followed the sentencing guidelines laid down
by the Government. John Mitchell, MAG's National Chairman, has written to
the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General to ask them to
review the prosecution of the case, and Brian Hampton's sentence. Also to
review sentencing guidelines, which seem to be at the heart of the problem.
He has also asked his MP to table a question in parliament on the apparent
lack of value given to the life of a vulnerable road user.
John said: "Brian Hampton should not have been on that road that particular
day. He was already disqualified. His actions in attempting to cover up the
incident are cowardly in the extreme. In this situation we cannot just blame
Hampton, the law needs to be clearer on appropriate sentencing. If a banned
driver receives only a two year sentence for causing the death of a
vulnerable road user, what sort of value does that put on a human life?"
<<ENDS>>
Further information:
Ian Mutch - 07799 764 161
Paul Turner - 01926 844064
To join MAG 01926 844064
Annual membership is £25
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