Four drivers who escaped going to jail for causing death or serious injury were told yesterday that they must report to prison by noon on Monday. In the Court of Appeal in Belfast their suspended jail terms were turned into immediate custodial sentences.
Their cases had been referred to the court by the Attorney General because he believed their sentences were "unduly lenient." Gavin Robinson (21), from Irvinestown, who was given a suspended sentence of three years for causing the death of Robert Grimsley by careless driving and having consumed alcohol, and Colm McGuone (21) from Carrickmore, who had been given three years suspended for causing the death of Vivian Nelson by dangerous driving, were jailed for one year.
Grahame Humphreys (19) from Larne, who got a 15 months suspended sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and Dean Noel James (29) from Omagh, who had received a three-year suspended sentence for causing the death of Stephen Ward by dangerous driving, were both sentenced for two years.