Widow of Paul Stock in plea to Gloucester people to sign petition to change law on causing death while banned
THE devastated widow of a man killed after a banned driver ran him down has made a heartfelt plea for signatures on petitions to change the law.
Amanda Stock's life changed forever when Graham Godwin's bike hit her husband Paul almost one year ago.
-
Mandy Stock with a photograph of Paul Stock
Yet Godwin, of Winnycroft Lane, Matson, who was banned and uninsured, was jailed for just 18 months – no more than a driver who has a licence.
Mrs Stock said she is dealing with the death of "Gloucester's best welder" by pressing for a change in the law with online epetitions.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
"At the moment, getting this done is keeping me going," said Mrs Stock, of Wellesley Street, Tredworth. "This has got to be done - it's the only thing I can do. Anger is driving me and that drives my commitment to get the law changed.
"There needs to be something to get someone like this off the road."
Gloucester MP Richard Graham raised her concerns at Prime Minister's Question Time last week.
Graham Godwin was disqualified from driving, as well as speeding and carrying a passenger on his one-seat motorcycle, when it collided with Paul on March 3.
He pleaded guilty to causing death while driving when disqualified, causing death while not being insured and using a false name to obtain insurance but he also had 12 previous convictions for driving without insurance, nine for driving while disqualified and three for drink driving.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC called him "an absolute menace on the roads."
Mrs Stock is urging people to sign both petitions to increase the sentencing guidelines for causing death while disqualified or uninsured, and to introduce a new charge for causing serious injury while disqualified or uninsured.
To sign, visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk and search for Amanda Stock. Links to the petitions are available from amandastock306@btinternet.com
5 Comments
by Justica
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:18PM
“GlosAnarchy, I suggest you read the article again, particularly Godwins previous record - 12 previous convictions and the judge's comments - 'he is a menace on the road'. I suspect you would feel quite differently if you had lost a loved one like Mrs Stock.”
by FreeRadical1
Saturday, February 09 2013, 3:42PM
“The sentence reflected the severity of the charge, but not the severity of the actual crime.
Private prosecutions are extremely expensive.
The Crown Prosecution Service is set up to bring prosecutions, and they let everyone down by failing to bring a charge that reflected the severity of the crime or its consequences.”
by GlosAnarchy
Saturday, February 09 2013, 2:52PM
“There needs to be a change in the law but this must not be a knee jerk reaction to event's like this. There may be a number or reasons why people are not insured sometimes this could be a mistake by the insurance company or the driver. They also may have their licence suspended if they don't reply to a letter from the DVLA meaning they have no licence even though they have not been "banned"
People be careful for what you ask for!”
by CaptCX
Friday, February 08 2013, 8:02AM
“Is there any chance that Mrs Stock could privately prosecute Graham Godwin?
I cannot see any reason why not. Of course, it wouldn't bring back her husband or ease the grief that she's feeling, but at least it would be something.”
by Justica
Thursday, February 07 2013, 4:19PM
“Condolences to Mrs Stock, it's a pity the sentence didn't reflect the severity of the crime. Godwin shouldn't have even been on the road yet managed by his irresponsible and reckless behaviour to kill a hard working man and cause devastation to his wife.”