Van driver is jailed for 30 months after killing teenager on crossing

A VAN driver has been jailed after he knocked down and killed a teenager on a pelican crossing.

Thomas Britten suffered multiple injuries when he was hit on his way to work by a vehicle driven by Christopher Marsden on the A6110 Ring Road at Beeston in Leeds.

Marsden, 43 of Harrison Crescent, Leeds, was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court last month of causing death by dangerous driving on January 5 last year.

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He had denied the charge but admitted causing death by careless driving.

The jury heard the 18-year-old was making the short walk from his home in Dulverton Green, Cottingley to his job as an apprentice hydraulic hose technician near Elland Road when the tragedy happened at about 7am.

He began to cross when the lights controlling traffic turned to red, one car on the inside lane having already stopped for him.

But Marsden, who was travelling home from work, was on the outer lane and drove straight through the crossing, striking Thomas who was run over and then dragged under the van until it stopped.

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The court heard the lights at the crossing, particularly on a gantry were visible from 173 metres, Marsden was within the speed limit and there was no defect to the van.

Jailing him for 30 months yesterday, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said Marsden was familiar with the route but the evidence showed that morning he was "completely oblivious" to that stretch of road leading to the crossing.

"You didn't even see the lights let alone the colour of the lights," he told him. "We will never know why you were not paying attention for a relatively significant period of time. This is more than a momentary lapse. You were completely unaware of Thomas until you hit him and you did not brake until after that impact."

The judge said Marsden had stopped at the scene and was visibly distressed at what had happened.

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It was a tragedy for all concerned and such cases were among the most difficult for judges with the deceased's family often feeling no term was long enough.

The sentence could never be a measure of the value of Thomas's life because life was precious beyond measure.

"I hope everyone will understand in passing the appropriate sentence I have had to approach it on the basis of your culpability which was inattention."

Ian Brook, for Marsden, said he was distraught and crying at the scene when he saw what he had done and was still shocked trying to come to terms with it.

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Some of the lights were out of order at the time which may have had some effect.

The judge was given character references describing Marsden as a hard-working man including one from former Mayor of Morley, Councillor Joyce Sanders, urging a non-custodial sentence. He was also read statements from the teenager's parents Mandy and Alan Britten and from his two older brothers Matthew 24 and Alan John, 29 describing the devastating loss to their family.

They described the former Bruntcliffe High School pupil who enjoyed cycling, as someone who was always laughing and "never gave us a dull moment."

Mr and Mrs Britten said after the case they were keen to ensure Marsden was pursued for death by dangerous driving and not the lesser charge, to ensure justice for their son.

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They praised Detective Constable Caroline Binns for helping them "from day one."

"We knew there was never going to be a huge sentence and whatever it was it's not going to fetch him back.

"At the end of the day we have got a sentence as well and ours is for life. No matter how much remorse he shows there is no way his family are suffering as much as ours."

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