Death driver's suspended sentence

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A lorry driver who caused the death of a couple when he turned in front of their car has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Kenneth Davies, 79, and Daisy Davies, 77, of Welshpool, Powys, died in April last year following the collision.

Istvan Kotorman, 48, of Shropshire, who had already admitted causing their deaths by careless driving, was given a 40-week suspended sentence.

Mold Crown Court was told he previously had an impeccable driving record.

He was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for a year.

There was shouting and swearing from the public gallery when it became clear that Kotorman was not going to prison.

Kotorman, a Hungarian, of Abbey Forgate, Shrewsbury, had previously been cleared of causing the pair's deaths by dangerous driving but admitted causing their deaths by careless driving.

Sentencing him, Judge John Rogers QC said that the collision was due to "a momentary and inexplicable piece of inadvertence lasting for a split second".

I am very aware that no punishment can begin to provide consolation for the family and friends of Mr and Mrs Davies Judge John Rogers QC

"I have to determine your punishment. In doing so, I am very aware that no punishment can begin to provide consolation for the family and friends of Mr and Mrs Davies," he said.

"They were valued members of the community, enjoying their richly-deserved retirement."

The judge said that he had to begin by determining the defendant's culpability.

"You always admitted causing their deaths by careless driving. The prosecution persisted with charges of causing their deaths by dangerous driving. The jury took just four minutes to reject those charges and acquit you of driving dangerously," he said.

The judge said that Kotorman had approached the junction at about 20 mph.

He indicated his intention to turn right, moved into a central turning lane and at a speed of about 5 mph began to travel across the road.

"Inexplicably, you failed to notice the approach of the Rover car driven by Mr Davies and the inevitable collision occurred," the judge said.

"Your driving before that collision was impeccable. The collision was due to a momentary and inexplicable piece of inadvertence lasting for a split second."

There were significant mitigating features, the court was told. At the scene, while distraught, Kotorman did all he could to assist the emergency services.

He also pleaded guilty at the earliest possible moment.

The defendant was said to be a man of excellent previous good character and he had an impeccable driving record, having been driving lorries for more than 20 years.

During the proceedings, he had spent the equivalent of seven months in prison.

The crash happened close to the village of Llandrinio on the Powys/Shropshire border, on 8 April last year.

Kotorman, who moved to the UK to start life afresh after the ending of a relationship, said he simply did not see the oncoming car and could not understand why.

He said he had travelled that particular road hundreds of times.