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168 
P CRIME
Page 8
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'Inattentive' HGV driver jailed
A LORRY DRIVER who was unanimously convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at an eight-day trial last month (CM 18 September) has been given a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
Michael Coombes, 62, from Stowmarket in Suffolk, was driving a 22-tonne HGV eastbound along the A14 dual carriageway at Bottisham in May 2007.
At the trial, the jury heard that Coombes failed to notice the stationary traffic ahead, which was queuing due to a broken-down lorry blocking the nearside lane.
Coombes was unable to explain why he failed to react in the 30 seconds before swerving at the last moment and smashing into the caravan at the back of the queue at an impact speed of 55mph. An eight-year-old boy was killed as a result of the accident. At the sentencing hearing, Christopher Paxton, defence barrister, said: "Mr Coombes had an impeccable driving record for 40 years, having driven many millions of miles convictionand accident-free."
He also added that as a result of the accident, Coombes was suffering from depression and he had voluntarily given up his job and not driven since.
Judge Anthony Bate said: "The cause of this tragic accident was prolonged inattention, for which you were unable to account when interviewed under caution. Three other lorry drivers ahead of and behind you were able to stop safely" Coombes was sentenced to two and a half years — half to be served in prison, and the remainder out on licence.
He was disqualified for driving for three years, and his licence will not be returned until he has taken and passed an extended driving test.