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Leckford death crash lorry driver jailed | Leckford death crash lorry driver jailed |
(35 minutes later) | |
A lorry driver who killed a motorcyclist when distracted by a phone call has been jailed for five years. | |
Roy Woods, 57, had been making and receiving calls "throughout the day" before the crash in Leckford on 13 April last year, a court heard. | Roy Woods, 57, had been making and receiving calls "throughout the day" before the crash in Leckford on 13 April last year, a court heard. |
He had been on the phone for eight minutes when he hit 62-year-old Alan Couper, who died at the scene. | He had been on the phone for eight minutes when he hit 62-year-old Alan Couper, who died at the scene. |
Woods, from Tidworth, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court. | Woods, from Tidworth, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court. |
He was also disqualified from driving for seven-and-a-half years. | He was also disqualified from driving for seven-and-a-half years. |
Woods had been legally using his phone hands-free at the time of the crash on Stockbridge Road, Hampshire Police said. | Woods had been legally using his phone hands-free at the time of the crash on Stockbridge Road, Hampshire Police said. |
However, the content of the call prevented him from taking the necessary actions to avoid the crash, the force said. | However, the content of the call prevented him from taking the necessary actions to avoid the crash, the force said. |
After the sentencing, senior investigating officer Richard Thorpe said: "This is a tragic loss of life that could have so easily been avoided and our thoughts are with the family of Mr Couper today." | After the sentencing, senior investigating officer Richard Thorpe said: "This is a tragic loss of life that could have so easily been avoided and our thoughts are with the family of Mr Couper today." |
In a statement read out in court, Mr Couper's widow Helen said: "I'm lost beyond belief. My lovely husband is gone from my sight forever and never coming back to me or his children. | In a statement read out in court, Mr Couper's widow Helen said: "I'm lost beyond belief. My lovely husband is gone from my sight forever and never coming back to me or his children. |
"I struggle with the depth of loss, I'm numb throughout my body and my face. I have lost the man who loved me totally as I was, I miss that deepness of affection and connection." | "I struggle with the depth of loss, I'm numb throughout my body and my face. I have lost the man who loved me totally as I was, I miss that deepness of affection and connection." |
Mr Couper's eldest daughter Claire told the court he was her "legend, hero and best friend". | Mr Couper's eldest daughter Claire told the court he was her "legend, hero and best friend". |
The court heard that on 13 April last year Mr Couper, from Southampton, was riding his motorbike with friend Robert Powell. | The court heard that on 13 April last year Mr Couper, from Southampton, was riding his motorbike with friend Robert Powell. |
Woods had been working all day driving a 32-tonne HGV and had been on his phone for more than an hour in total. | Woods had been working all day driving a 32-tonne HGV and had been on his phone for more than an hour in total. |
The court heard the road had a 50mph limit and Woods had been driving at the speed limit, but this was too fast when approaching a stopped vehicle like Mr Couper's motorcycle. | The court heard the road had a 50mph limit and Woods had been driving at the speed limit, but this was too fast when approaching a stopped vehicle like Mr Couper's motorcycle. |
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