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19 Dec 14
18:49
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Date Joined:
10 Jan 12
Bethany Mackie jailed over Christian Smith's death on charity ride
A teenager who killed a cyclist during a charity bike ride has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Bethany Mackie, 18, was more than twice the legal alcohol limit when her car hit Christian Smith, 38, from behind.
He was cycling alongside his wife on the last leg of a 24-hour, 248-mile ride across Kent and Sussex on 22 March.
The father of three was pronounced dead at the scene on the A2990 Old Thanet Way, near Chestfield, Whitstable.
Mackie, of Beltinge Road, Herne Bay, had previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.
She was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court.
The court heard after she crashed into Mr Smith she carried on up the road for 400 metres.
Bethany Mackie was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit
A black box device fitted by Mackie's insurance firm to her car revealed she had been driving at up to 76mph on the 60mph road moments before the crash.
Mr Smith's widow Katie Smith read a victim impact statement before the sentencing.
She said: "I was alone with him on that road and I tried desperately to save him, but I couldn't.
"This is something I will always feel guilty for. A short time later I had to wake up my 12, nine and five-year-old to tell them that their daddy was dead.
"The sounds that they made can only be described as horrifying. I have heard that sound many times over the last few months - from my own mouth as well as theirs."
Mr Smith was raising money for the mental health charity Mind.
More than £82,000 has been raised on his JustGiving webpage, eclipsing his £1,000 target figure.
A teenager who killed a cyclist during a charity bike ride has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Bethany Mackie, 18, was more than twice the legal alcohol limit when her car hit Christian Smith, 38, from behind.
He was cycling alongside his wife on the last leg of a 24-hour, 248-mile ride across Kent and Sussex on 22 March.
The father of three was pronounced dead at the scene on the A2990 Old Thanet Way, near Chestfield, Whitstable.
Mackie, of Beltinge Road, Herne Bay, had previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.
She was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court.
The court heard after she crashed into Mr Smith she carried on up the road for 400 metres.
Bethany Mackie was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit
A black box device fitted by Mackie's insurance firm to her car revealed she had been driving at up to 76mph on the 60mph road moments before the crash.
Mr Smith's widow Katie Smith read a victim impact statement before the sentencing.
She said: "I was alone with him on that road and I tried desperately to save him, but I couldn't.
"This is something I will always feel guilty for. A short time later I had to wake up my 12, nine and five-year-old to tell them that their daddy was dead.
"The sounds that they made can only be described as horrifying. I have heard that sound many times over the last few months - from my own mouth as well as theirs."
Mr Smith was raising money for the mental health charity Mind.
More than £82,000 has been raised on his JustGiving webpage, eclipsing his £1,000 target figure.
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Perhaps the justice system is relying on a lifetime of torment for the perpetrator.
5 years is a long time when you're young, WTF, 38 years old I think he was robbed of a lot more than 5 years, the bitch should be doing 15 years. she will be out after 3 years, is that a long time when you're young FFS.
christian was probably christian, he probably would have forgiven already
I certainly would not condone anyone waiting for her to come out of prison and then "explaining to her very forcefully" the error of her ways!
Not too good I'm sorry to say.
But I hope you are prospering and well. I'm very weary of a lot of things these days, and I'm tired. My advanced age is catching up on me rapidly. AND THATS THE GOOD NEWS!
Sorry to have to clarify the matter!
But I hope you are prospering and well. I'm very weary of a lot of things these days, and I'm tired. My advanced age is catching up on me rapidly. AND THATS THE GOOD NEWS!
Sorry to have to clarify the matter!
Of course she should get longer but this doesn't seem out of line with other sentences so hard to say it's lenient. Sentencing for drinking and driving should be much stiffer generally, however, regardless of whether or not some innocent dies.
The lesson from this is that if you want to murder someone, have a couple of drinks and then run them over with a car. 5 years instead of 15-30 or life! I am not suggesting that in this instance it was a deliberate act.
Sorry to hear that mate, I can echo you post, but that's how it is so just have to get on with it. No magic potions, well not any that don't leave you with mother and father of a hangover.
And before you ask numer0ne I don't drink and drive
And before you ask numer0ne I don't drink and drive
Yes Slicer it could give someone inclined that way an idea that it may be Worth it.
CLYDEBANK29 19 Dec 14 20:49
Not if Quincy is on your case Slicer
That was a cracking episode.
Not if Quincy is on your case Slicer
That was a cracking episode.
Mr 29. What you would do is phone Quincy to make sure he is at a family wedding, LAPD to make sure Columbo is away on holiday and to check with Hawaii Bail Bonds that Dog is chasing someone on the US mainland. Also check that Morse is watching Oxford United and that any other detectives are not available at the time. Because they are the only ones with a realistic chance of catching you. Lets see if the real life cops can catch the gang who murdered that poor policeman!
btf- thanks for your interest. Of course retribution in the case as mentioned on this thread is not to be recommended.I would never recommend vigilante action in any shape or form or mention that in the days of the Krays and Richardsons, grannies could walk the street in safety and that the gangs only deliberately killed their own although inevitably there was collateral damage!
btf- thanks for your interest. Of course retribution in the case as mentioned on this thread is not to be recommended.I would never recommend vigilante action in any shape or form or mention that in the days of the Krays and Richardsons, grannies could walk the street in safety and that the gangs only deliberately killed their own although inevitably there was collateral damage!
Dr Slicer, I'm with you on that. to be serious, It's a situation where everyone loses. A 38 year old guy doing something for others loses his life in tragic circumstances, which will hit many others acquainted with him, not least his wife.
As for the young girl, the same applies to her life and family. if she did not learn from this as soon as she sobered up the the time served will not change that so 5 years/10 years it won't change anything. numberone one was quite right 5/3 years will seem like an eternity to someone who does care about the tragic impact this is having on many people not just themselves.
How do you balance this up if you are the Judge, yes you know it demands a deterrent but do you want to (probably) destroy a young life for stupid, recklessness. Glad I'm not the Judge.
As for the young girl, the same applies to her life and family. if she did not learn from this as soon as she sobered up the the time served will not change that so 5 years/10 years it won't change anything. numberone one was quite right 5/3 years will seem like an eternity to someone who does care about the tragic impact this is having on many people not just themselves.
How do you balance this up if you are the Judge, yes you know it demands a deterrent but do you want to (probably) destroy a young life for stupid, recklessness. Glad I'm not the Judge.
"A 38 year old guy doing something for others loses his life in tragic circumstances".
If there was a God or natural justice, things like this would not happen. We know there is no natural justice and of course there is no God. Evil conquers all and the good die young!
If there was a God or natural justice, things like this would not happen. We know there is no natural justice and of course there is no God. Evil conquers all and the good die young!
I think the sentence is right...she was disgustingly drunk...but she did not intend to kill him
Life is not fair slicer
A tragedy r.i.p
Life is not fair slicer
A tragedy r.i.p
I hope she actually serves at least half though...otherwise it would not be justice
She should serve 2/3 of sentence that is normal procedure
5 years if she was doing 50 mph may be nearer the mark, but 76 mph while drunk is a friggin disgrace, she deserves to actually serve 5 years so the sentence should basically be double imo.
This week in Ireland a driver killed eight people and got two years in prison (dead are driver of other car and the seven passengers in the offender's car).
Terribly sad, but so, so many people drink-drive. As MDH said, that's the real crime. If we raise the penalty for that, then we this will happen less. Everyone thinks they are a great driver, even a great drunk driver. I don't drive, but had a mate drive me home once when he was blatantly battered, and known many people who have done the same. It's not OK, of course, but 5 years is plenty for an 18 year old.
If you are using her young age as a factor, presumably you would want longer sentences for older criminals?
A speeding driver who killed two women on a pedestrian crossing in Fife has been jailed.
James Clunie jailed for killing Jane MacDonald and Abby Hucknall in Fife.
The 36-year-old, who has been disqualified from driving on three previous occasions, was driving a Land Rover Discovery.
He jailed Clunie for three years and two months for causing death by careless driving
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-30249350
sentence was the minimum given her alcohol reading.
http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/web_causing_death_by_driving_definitive_guideline.pdf
page 13.
doesn't seem ok to me.
http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/web_causing_death_by_driving_definitive_guideline.pdf
page 13.
doesn't seem ok to me.
Sentences in general for drunk driving are too lenient. In this case 10 years would have been more appropriate.
I disagree
5 years itself is an increase on previous sentences...enough for the moment
5 years itself is an increase on previous sentences...enough for the moment
Justice is not just about revenge, it main purpose is deterrent, so one must have a balanced justice system.
Jack Hacksaw - yeah, or rather I think younger people should get lower sentences. I grew up in an environment where loads of people drunk drove. None were monsters. Over time you get more aware of what alcohol does to you. When you're 18 you think you're invincible.
There's been any number of threads on here moaning about speed cams. Speeding is just another form of dangerous, illegal driving - the only moral difference is that the person doing so would be fully aware.
There's been any number of threads on here moaning about speed cams. Speeding is just another form of dangerous, illegal driving - the only moral difference is that the person doing so would be fully aware.
There is drink driving and drink driving, both are wrong but carefully going home a little bit over for a couple miles in a quiet town on empty roads at 20mph is an entirely different crime to going hell for leather at 76mph at more than twice the limit, where the predictable accident is probably going to kill at least one person and maybe a family or two. 5 Years is lenient given early release.
IMHO she was playing russian roulette with other people's lives there.
You're largely correct IMO, but the law is such that someone who gets wasted and drives like a nutter down a busy road but is fortunate enough not to hit someone - which will still be in most cases - will get a much lower punishment than someone who is a little bit over the limit and manages to skid into the one person they encounter on the way home. That's where the law needs to change - to reflect the risks take, not the results of fortune.
While you get next to no punishment for taking risks and getting away with them, there will always be people certain that the rules are for someone else.
While you get next to no punishment for taking risks and getting away with them, there will always be people certain that the rules are for someone else.
Spot on there sparky - 5 years is insulting though to the poor man she killed. Anyone know what the max is she could have been given?
A life for a life, imo. The defendant in this case should be put to death, and the victims wife should be the one dropping the switch. See the drop in the amount of drunk driving cases if the punishment became that severe
Not the sort of response I would expect from someone called JC. But it's your opinion, just one question, would you seriously want to be the one to put her to death. Serious question, I would not want that burden or anyone else to have it on my behalf.
It's a good question. Probably not, but then we have plenty of people in this world who have the mental capacity to deal with doing such a thing. Or maybe it's a question for the victims wife? I know if some drunken idiot killed anyone I loved I'd very likely kill them myself, and think about the repercussions afterwards
And if it was your daughter? If we're executing people for dangerous driving you can forget about them stopping at the scene.
Can't disagree with that if it is one of your own, then no punishment is enough.
Hey stop calling JC JC, I'm JC. And so's my wife!
Sorry JC, that's JC since 2006, Not prender JC since 2012. 
I will add the 1326 when talking to Karaoke JC.
I will add the 1326 when talking to Karaoke JC.
Seriously though,
I wouldn't execute anyone for drink driving no but stiff sentences yes.
What worries me about incredible low tolerance is say this:
Everyone will agree someone who gets wasted and drives is a d*ck. But with very low limits as the campaigners want, say you go out, have 5 pints, get up after 8 hours sleep and feel fine, get breathlysed and youre like slightly over. There was no intent, you didn't even feel intoxicated, but you get a DUI conviction marking you like the sh*t driving with a bottle of vodka in the glove compartment.
There needs to be common sense applied. Maybe it should be graded. DUI 1-10 or something.
I wouldn't execute anyone for drink driving no but stiff sentences yes.
What worries me about incredible low tolerance is say this:
Everyone will agree someone who gets wasted and drives is a d*ck. But with very low limits as the campaigners want, say you go out, have 5 pints, get up after 8 hours sleep and feel fine, get breathlysed and youre like slightly over. There was no intent, you didn't even feel intoxicated, but you get a DUI conviction marking you like the sh*t driving with a bottle of vodka in the glove compartment.
There needs to be common sense applied. Maybe it should be graded. DUI 1-10 or something.
Dec 20, 2014 -- 10:30PM, Just Checking wrote:
Seriously though, I wouldn't execute anyone for drink driving no but stiff sentences yes.What worries me about incredible low tolerance is say this:Everyone will agree someone who gets wasted and drives is a d*ck. But with very low limits as the campaigners want, say you go out, have 5 pints, get up after 8 hours sleep and feel fine, get breathlysed and youre like slightly over. There was no intent, you didn't even feel intoxicated, but you get a DUI conviction marking you like the sh*t driving with a bottle of vodka in the glove compartment. There needs to be common sense applied. Maybe it should be graded. DUI 1-10 or something.
Or you don't have five pints eight hours before you drive?
Dec 20, 2014 -- 10:25PM, Clungehungry wrote:
And if it was your daughter? If we're executing people for dangerous driving you can forget about them stopping at the scene.
Well, if it was my daughter then... sorry, I can't take a question seriously from a guy called ''Clungehungry.''
Sparky, this is an emotional subject, in the cold light of day any person charged (Jury members then judge)with a decision of this weight would react completely differently to things they think outside a courtroom. Just a thought.
Clungehungry
And if it was your daughter?
You would be talking revenge then as opposed to justice.
And if it was your daughter?
You would be talking revenge then as opposed to justice.
You're right, and I've every sympathy with the family of a victim wanting vengeance. That's a million miles though, from an unrelated stranger wanting an excuse to kill an 18 year old girl.
You're right, and I've every sympathy with the family of a victim wanting vengeance. That's a million miles though, from an unrelated stranger wanting an excuse to kill an 18 year old girl.
Agreed.
Agreed.
NOT A MENTION OF THE FAT CATS WHO SELL THE DRUG FOR A PROFIT
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE NOT JUST THE PICTURE THAT YOUR SEEING,
Remove all safety features for the driver. No airbag, seatbelt etc and sit the driver at the very front of the car in an ordinary glass shell so if there is an accident the driver will be seriously injured or killed.
In most modern cars drivers are inside a ton of metal sorrounded by safety feature so can drive without regard for the more vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, knowing it's not them that will be hurt or killed by their selfish actions.
In most modern cars drivers are inside a ton of metal sorrounded by safety feature so can drive without regard for the more vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, knowing it's not them that will be hurt or killed by their selfish actions.
There are countless traffic cop shows on tv every week, UK, USA and Australia.
One thing they have in common is that very few of those arrested ever go to prison, Australian found srashed on a grass verge, senseless, arrogant and a poor liar.
Turned out that he could afford to be arrogant as he had been disqualified for drink driving three times previous.
End of programme disclosed a guilty verdict in court, six month suspended plus 12 month ban.
Aus and UK are no different to countries in the EU in that these states are now run by lawyer`s, and many of these lawyer`s are the majority in any parliament regardless of which party they represent.
One thing they have in common is that very few of those arrested ever go to prison, Australian found srashed on a grass verge, senseless, arrogant and a poor liar.
Turned out that he could afford to be arrogant as he had been disqualified for drink driving three times previous.
End of programme disclosed a guilty verdict in court, six month suspended plus 12 month ban.
Aus and UK are no different to countries in the EU in that these states are now run by lawyer`s, and many of these lawyer`s are the majority in any parliament regardless of which party they represent.
Just Checking
20 Dec 14 18:57
There is drink driving and drink driving, both are wrong but carefully going home a little bit over for a couple miles in a quiet town on empty roads at 20mph is an entirely different crime to going hell for leather at 76mph at more than twice the limit, where the predictable accident is probably going to kill at least one person and maybe a family or two. 5 Years is lenient given early release.
I was on a job to the south of Builth Wells (mid-Wales) about 25 years ago. Went into a local for a pint or two as there was fack all else to do. It was in the middle of nowhere and pretty busy. The car park was full up!! Everybody was drinking. Some time later I asked where a taxi firm was, and the response was something like 'Taxis? Not 'ere boyo, drive yourself home, and keep the speed down, isn't it.'
And they all did it
I found out the next night that one of them was a policeman, and they thought I was an Australian ffs.
20 Dec 14 18:57
There is drink driving and drink driving, both are wrong but carefully going home a little bit over for a couple miles in a quiet town on empty roads at 20mph is an entirely different crime to going hell for leather at 76mph at more than twice the limit, where the predictable accident is probably going to kill at least one person and maybe a family or two. 5 Years is lenient given early release.
I was on a job to the south of Builth Wells (mid-Wales) about 25 years ago. Went into a local for a pint or two as there was fack all else to do. It was in the middle of nowhere and pretty busy. The car park was full up!! Everybody was drinking. Some time later I asked where a taxi firm was, and the response was something like 'Taxis? Not 'ere boyo, drive yourself home, and keep the speed down, isn't it.'
And they all did it
I found out the next night that one of them was a policeman, and they thought I was an Australian ffs.
Another one....
Ex-professional footballer Scott Sellars has been given a six-month suspended sentence after he fell asleep behind the wheel and ended up killing a motorcyclist.
WHAT NEXT....will the government be paying drivers to kill people? So the they can control the population numbers.
Ex-professional footballer Scott Sellars has been given a six-month suspended sentence after he fell asleep behind the wheel and ended up killing a motorcyclist.
WHAT NEXT....will the government be paying drivers to kill people? So the they can control the population numbers.
Shorter sentencing does nothing but remove the deterrent, and in some cases persuade vigilantism.
.....and people who cry 'but keeping them in is at a expense to the British tax payer' is an disgusting insult to the victims and the victims families.
.....and people who cry 'but keeping them in is at a expense to the British tax payer' is an disgusting insult to the victims and the victims families.
How much wonga will I get for running amok in a 38 tonner in Newham?
Dec 20, 2014 -- 11:31PM, akabula wrote:
You're right, and I've every sympathy with the family of a victim wanting vengeance. That's a million miles though, from an unrelated stranger wanting an excuse to kill an 18 year old girl.Agreed.
I admit it, I'd be happy to see the drunken idiot strung up. She killed another human being, and it was down to stupidity. She deserves to die, imo, I don't care how old she is.
Ah yes, kill the stupid youths. It's probably quite a good job you're not in charge of anything and society is a little bit better than that.
I sincerely hope that any future drink-driving offence that she may commit is treated with this offence in mind.
soft sentence maybe on paper ,but she is young and probably niave/ foolish - she wouldn't have set out to kill anyone .
She will have to live with this .
No winners in this .
She will have to live with this .
No winners in this .
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