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Anger over road deaths sentence Anger over road deaths sentence
(39 minutes later)
The father of a man who was among four people killed by an ex-police inspector who was drink-driving in France has criticised the sentence handed to him. The sentence given to a British former police inspector who killed four people while drink driving in France has been criticised by one of their relatives.
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, Andrew Dyer, 41, and his daughter Gabriella, 10, died.
Mr Dyer's father Noel, of Bridgwater, Somerset, said he was "very upset" by the French 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, whose son was friends with Bridges, 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 after an evening with family friends, the Fullers.The court heard Bridges got behind the wheel of his jeep 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.