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Judge criticises drink test error Judge criticises drink test error
(1 day later)
A judge has criticised Lancashire Police for failing to breath test a teenage mother who crashed a car in killing an 18-year-old man. A judge has criticised Lancashire Police for failing to breath test a teenage mother who crashed a car, killing an 18-year-old man.
It was "inexcusable" that Kayleigh Ann Goodwin, 18, of Rockliffe Villas, Bacup was not breath tested, Judge Beverley Lunt said at Burnley Crown Court. It was "inexcusable" Kayleigh Ann Goodwin, 18, of Rockliffe Villas, Bacup was not breath-tested, Judge Beverley Lunt said at Burnley Crown Court.
Goodwin was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for four-and-a-half years.Goodwin was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Craig Cronshaw died after Goodwin's car crashed in Stacksteads.Craig Cronshaw died after Goodwin's car crashed in Stacksteads.
Her friend Ruth Bailey was also injured when the car crashed after they had been on a night out in December 2007.Her friend Ruth Bailey was also injured when the car crashed after they had been on a night out in December 2007.
Goodwin was speeding at up to twice the limit on a winding 30mph road when she crashed in wet conditions and the car spun out of control, the court heard. Goodwin, who was 17 at the time, was driving at up to twice the speed limit on a winding 30mph road when she span out of control and crashed in wet conditions, the court heard.
Even in the aftermath and shock and panic you lied to the police, in my judgment it was inexcusable to persist in that lie Judge Beverley Lunt, Burnley Crown CourtEven in the aftermath and shock and panic you lied to the police, in my judgment it was inexcusable to persist in that lie Judge Beverley Lunt, Burnley Crown Court
Her friends were thrown from the car as a result of the crash, which occurred on Booth Road. Goodwin received minor injuries. Her friends were thrown from the car in the crash, which occurred on Booth Road. Goodwin received minor injuries.
The teenager was 17 at the time of the crash and had passed her test eight weeks earlier. She lied about being behind the wheel of the Citroen Saxo and claimed Mr Cronshaw had been driving. She had lied about being behind the wheel of the Citroen Saxo, claiming Mr Cronshaw had been driving, but forensic experts proved she was driving.
Forensic experts proved she was the driver.
A jury at Burnley Crown Court found her guilty of causing death by dangerous driving last month.A jury at Burnley Crown Court found her guilty of causing death by dangerous driving last month.
Judge Beverley Lunt told Goodwin she had blackened Mr Cronshaw's name by claiming he was behind the wheel and high on drink and drugs.Judge Beverley Lunt told Goodwin she had blackened Mr Cronshaw's name by claiming he was behind the wheel and high on drink and drugs.
She said: "This added to the grief and distress of his family." "Even in the aftermath and shock and panic you lied to the police, in my judgment it was inexcusable to persist in that lie," said Judge Lunt.
The judge added: "Even in the aftermath and shock and panic you lied to the police, in my judgment it was inexcusable to persist in that lie.
Craig Cronshaw died in the crash
"You have never shown any remorse or contrition or compassion for Craig Cronshaw or his family.""You have never shown any remorse or contrition or compassion for Craig Cronshaw or his family."
Goodwin was sent to a Young Offenders Institution for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for five years. Goodwin was sent to a young offenders' institute for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for five years.
Judge Lunt asked the court why Goodwin was never breathalysed by the police officer at the crash scene. On the fact Goodwin was not breathalysed, Judge Lunt said: "That's either gross negligence or a massive dereliction of duty."
She said: "That's either gross negligence or a massive dereliction of duty. She had to be breathalysed and she wasn't and I find that inexcusable." Craig Cronshaw died in the crash
Judge Lunt also said Goodwin was "fed" questions when interviewed by Lancashire Police.Judge Lunt also said Goodwin was "fed" questions when interviewed by Lancashire Police.
She said: "This should all be looked at very closely, as an investigation I don't think I've ever seen one so bad." A Lancashire Police spokeswoman responded to the judge's criticism.
Mr Cronshaw's parents read out a statement outside the court. "This has been an incredibly complex and thorough investigation," she said.
Mrs Reynard said: "The sentence reflects the seriousness of the incident and the heartache and pain that Kayleigh has put us through over the last 14 months." "The police officers who attended were faced with a scene of devastation where their priority was to preserve life.
But Mrs Reynard said she had no criticism of the Lancashire Police investigation. "A decision was taken not to breathalyse Kayleigh Goodwin as she was not believed to be the driver.
She said: "I feel the police and everybody involved did their best." "We acknowledge the judge's comments and will be looking into the circumstances of this particular investigation to see if there are any lessons that can be learnt."
Mr Cronshaw's parents said they felt the sentence reflected the "seriousness of the incident".
Mrs Reynard said: "[It also reflects] the heartache and pain that Kayleigh has put us through over the last 14 months."
But she said she had no criticism of the police inquiry.