This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-19421724
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Gordon Dyche trial: Jail for Llyn Clywedog crash that killed family | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A driver has been jailed for four years for causing death by careless driving in a crash that killed a family. | A driver has been jailed for four years for causing death by careless driving in a crash that killed a family. |
Gordon Dyche, 24, of Llanbrynmair, Powys, was also given a further six months for a previously suspended sentence for handling stolen goods. | Gordon Dyche, 24, of Llanbrynmair, Powys, was also given a further six months for a previously suspended sentence for handling stolen goods. |
Dyche clipped Denise Griffith's car while trying to overtake, sending it careering into Llyn Clywedog, near Llanidloes. | Dyche clipped Denise Griffith's car while trying to overtake, sending it careering into Llyn Clywedog, near Llanidloes. |
Mrs Griffith lost her husband, mother and two foster sons in the tragedy. | Mrs Griffith lost her husband, mother and two foster sons in the tragedy. |
Dyche was found not guilty of death by dangerous driving. | Dyche was found not guilty of death by dangerous driving. |
It has also been revealed at Caernarfon Crown Court that Dyche had previous convictions for driving offences. | It has also been revealed at Caernarfon Crown Court that Dyche had previous convictions for driving offences. |
When the incident happened in April 2011 he had just finished a driving ban for driving while disqualified and without insurance in January that year. | When the incident happened in April 2011 he had just finished a driving ban for driving while disqualified and without insurance in January that year. |
He had previously been disqualified for driving without insurance and while disqualified in August 2010. | He had previously been disqualified for driving without insurance and while disqualified in August 2010. |
Dyche had also been convicted of theft the same year. | Dyche had also been convicted of theft the same year. |
During the trial, Mrs Griffith, 56, told how the family had been on holiday and returning from a day trip when the incident happened. | During the trial, Mrs Griffith, 56, told how the family had been on holiday and returning from a day trip when the incident happened. |
She went to pull into a lay-by near Llyn Clywedog and it was at that moment she felt her Peugeot 807 people carrier being shunted from behind. | She went to pull into a lay-by near Llyn Clywedog and it was at that moment she felt her Peugeot 807 people carrier being shunted from behind. |
"The next thing I knew we were going anti-clockwise," she told the court. "I saw the rocks, and sky and rocks again, and the water just hit my face. | "The next thing I knew we were going anti-clockwise," she told the court. "I saw the rocks, and sky and rocks again, and the water just hit my face. |
'It's my fault' | 'It's my fault' |
"I couldn't undo my seat belt at first. I sat in the seat thinking 'how long have I got to live'." | "I couldn't undo my seat belt at first. I sat in the seat thinking 'how long have I got to live'." |
Mrs Griffith and the family dog, Milly, eventually escaped from the car but she said she knew her family "had not made it". | Mrs Griffith and the family dog, Milly, eventually escaped from the car but she said she knew her family "had not made it". |
She lost her husband Emyr, 66, her mother Phyllis Hooper, 84, and Peter Briscome and Liam Govier, both 14 and who had autism. | She lost her husband Emyr, 66, her mother Phyllis Hooper, 84, and Peter Briscome and Liam Govier, both 14 and who had autism. |
The court heard that shortly after the incident, Dyche, a married father, told a paramedic: "I shouldn't have done it. I was late for work. It's my fault." | The court heard that shortly after the incident, Dyche, a married father, told a paramedic: "I shouldn't have done it. I was late for work. It's my fault." |
He also told a police officer: "It's my fault." | He also told a police officer: "It's my fault." |
Witnesses told jurors they had seen Dyche overtake and then clip Mrs Griffith's car. | Witnesses told jurors they had seen Dyche overtake and then clip Mrs Griffith's car. |
The court heard how Dyche left home for work in a Ford Mondeo shortly after 14:00 BST on the afternoon of the crash. | The court heard how Dyche left home for work in a Ford Mondeo shortly after 14:00 BST on the afternoon of the crash. |
He was driving eight miles to Llanidloes to start work at 14:30 BST. | He was driving eight miles to Llanidloes to start work at 14:30 BST. |
He said he came up behind two cars - a VW Passat car and the people carrier, being driven by Mrs Griffith, ahead of it. | He said he came up behind two cars - a VW Passat car and the people carrier, being driven by Mrs Griffith, ahead of it. |
They were travelling at about 40mph and he followed them for about a mile. | They were travelling at about 40mph and he followed them for about a mile. |
He said he began to overtake the VW but saw the Peugeot 807 start to turn right across his path towards a lay-by and he struck the vehicle. | He said he began to overtake the VW but saw the Peugeot 807 start to turn right across his path towards a lay-by and he struck the vehicle. |
Mrs Griffith told the court: "I know my life has been ruined. It's the most lonely, lonely place to be." | Mrs Griffith told the court: "I know my life has been ruined. It's the most lonely, lonely place to be." |
Reacting to Dyche's convictcion, she said: "This has been the worst time of my life, and while my faith has helped me over the past year and a half, no words can express how much I miss my family and how much my life has changed since that day in April 2011. | Reacting to Dyche's convictcion, she said: "This has been the worst time of my life, and while my faith has helped me over the past year and a half, no words can express how much I miss my family and how much my life has changed since that day in April 2011. |
"Whatever the outcome from today would have been, it would not have changed anything. | "Whatever the outcome from today would have been, it would not have changed anything. |
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the emergency service personnel who helped that day, Also my family and friends. | "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the emergency service personnel who helped that day, Also my family and friends. |
"Also Mrs Rowlands who was kind enough to look after my dog Milly. I've not been able to thank her myself. | "Also Mrs Rowlands who was kind enough to look after my dog Milly. I've not been able to thank her myself. |
"All I ask now is that the media respect my privacy and allow me to grieve for my family in peace." | "All I ask now is that the media respect my privacy and allow me to grieve for my family in peace." |
The birth mother of Liam Govier welcomed Dyche's sentence. | The birth mother of Liam Govier welcomed Dyche's sentence. |
Alison Govier, 38, said she was "devastated" by her son's death, calling him "a lovely bubbly boy, a lovely smiley little chap". | Alison Govier, 38, said she was "devastated" by her son's death, calling him "a lovely bubbly boy, a lovely smiley little chap". |