YP Comment: In contempt - Judge rebukes death crash driver

THE public's faith in the criminal justice system will have been renewed by Judge Rodney Jameson's sharp rebuke of a truly contemptuous Kelly Lucas after the 34-year-old failed to undertake 250 hours unpaid work '“ her punishment for knocking down, and killing, elderly widower Jack Richardson while he crossed a road as he walked to a cemetery in Wakefield to tend to his late wife's grave.

Jack Richardson: Hit by Lucass vehicle as he made his way to tend to wife Eileens grave.

Killer driver ‘showed contempt’ by failing to carry out sentence

The 88-year-old pensioner had undertaken the ritual twice daily since her death in 2010.

“If you breach it again, somebody will lock you up,” the QC told Lucas at Leeds Crown Court before increasing her sentence to 300 hours community work and telling her that she had been fortunate to keep her liberty after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving earlier in the year.

This case highlights three lessons worthy of further comment. First, judges should not be afraid to assert their authority and speak in language that will resonate with offenders rather than long-winded legalese that tends to be  less impactful.

Second, the Probation Service was alert to the driver’s non-compliance with the court order. Normally, it is this much-criticised agency which is in the dock for failing to enforce a court’s wishes.

Third, many will conclude that motorists are still treated too leniently when it comes to fatal accidents, and this case will give added credence to this view. In this regard, it is important that the Government keeps the law under constant review – and that the courts do not hesitate to use the full and considerable powers which are already at their disposal.

Too many lives are still lost each year because of irresponsible driving.