This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/somerset/8415325.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Anger over road deaths sentence Anger over road deaths sentence
(about 6 hours later)
Relatives of a former police inspector who killed four people while drink-driving have criticised the sentence handed out to him by a French court. The father of a man who was among four people killed by an ex-police inspector who was drink-driving in France have criticised the sentence handed to him.
Keith Bridges, 52, received a two-year suspended sentence after he crashed his car in the Dordogne in June 2006.Keith Bridges, 52, received a two-year suspended sentence after he crashed his car in the Dordogne in June 2006.
His wife Julie, 42, stepdaughter Bethany Lowe, 10, friend Andrew Dyer, 41, and daughter Gabriella, 10, died.His wife Julie, 42, stepdaughter Bethany Lowe, 10, friend Andrew Dyer, 41, and daughter Gabriella, 10, died.
Mr Dyer's father Noel, of Bridgwater, Somerset, said he was "very upset" by the court's "lenient" approach. Mr Dyer's father Noel, of Bridgwater, Somerset, said he was "very upset" by the French court's "lenient" approach.
'Beyond comprehension''Beyond comprehension'
Bridges was given the sentence for "homicide involontaire" - a charge similar to manslaughter - while drink-driving.Bridges was given the sentence for "homicide involontaire" - a charge similar to manslaughter - while drink-driving.
He had come off the road near his home in the village of Berbiguieres.He had come off the road near his home in the village of Berbiguieres.
Following the sentence, Mr Dyer said: "I wanted justice but this is not justice. I thought the British justice system was bad enough but this is 10 times worse.Following the sentence, Mr Dyer said: "I wanted justice but this is not justice. I thought the British justice system was bad enough but this is 10 times worse.
"I don't know what the French court was thinking, it's beyond comprehension.""I don't know what the French court was thinking, it's beyond comprehension."
Mr Dyer said he and his wife Mary would never get over the tragedy.Mr Dyer said he and his wife Mary would never get over the tragedy.
Crash survivorsCrash survivors
The court heard Bridges got behind the wheel of his jeep at about 2300 after an evening with family friends the Fullers.The court heard Bridges got behind the wheel of his jeep at about 2300 after an evening with family friends the Fullers.
The group had drunk about four bottles of wine, 22 small bottles of beer and at least a bottle of spirits in a cocktail mix.The group had drunk about four bottles of wine, 22 small bottles of beer and at least a bottle of spirits in a cocktail mix.
Police estimated Bridges was driving at about 101km/h (62mph), when the advisable limit was 70km/h (43mph).Police estimated Bridges was driving at about 101km/h (62mph), when the advisable limit was 70km/h (43mph).
Bridges, who survived the crash with a broken leg, was ordered to pay a 200 euro (£180) fine for motoring offences and was banned from driving for two years.Bridges, who survived the crash with a broken leg, was ordered to pay a 200 euro (£180) fine for motoring offences and was banned from driving for two years.
Andrew Dyer's wife Tracey, and her son Kieron, then four, and daughter Charlotte, then seven, were all injured in the crash but survived.Andrew Dyer's wife Tracey, and her son Kieron, then four, and daughter Charlotte, then seven, were all injured in the crash but survived.