Eighteen year old Lee Cahill, a college student from Wareham, Dorset, was given a 12 month community order and ordered to undertake 200-hours of community service and given an 18 month driving ban for causing the death of popular local cyclist, Rob Jefferies. Cahill will have to face a compulsory re-test. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85
Cahill had pleaded guilty to the charge of Causing Death by Careless Driving at an earlier hearing. Rob had been returning home from a training ride when he was struck from behind by Cahill. Fellow cyclist Bryce Dyer, who was riding with Rob at the time did what he could at the scene, assisted by an off duty fire officer who had stopped to help. Chairman of the Weymouth Magistrates bench Sharon Morecombe said "The consequences of this accident have been devastating for Cahill who is extremely remorseful. However the effect is considerably more devastating and will remain with the family of Mr Jefferies for the rest of their lives" Rob leaves a widow, Jayne, daughter and stepson
Yes, Cahill was SO remorseful that he tried to excuse himself by claining that he was dazzled by the low evening sun in his eyes ... interesting, the sun was back over his right shoulder so which way was he looking? Ms Morecombe's ideas of justice and appropriate sentencing are also "devasting and will remain with" (to use her words) the world of cycling for many years to come.
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