Cuckney: Bassetlaw MP calls for dangerous driving crackdown after criticising justice system

Bassetlaw MP, John Mann, has slammed the justice system after it emerged that a reckless driver who killed a father-to-be could be let out on day release - less than 12 months after he was jailed for five years.
John Mann MP (w110610-3c)John Mann MP (w110610-3c)
John Mann MP (w110610-3c)

Farm worker Joseph Weston, 22, was jailed last July after Nottingham Crown Court was told in detail how he was seen speeding up the A60 at Cuckney Hill ‘like lightning.’

Accident investigators said Weston, of Longdale Lane, Ravenshead, was doing 90mph when he lost control of his high-powered Ford Fiesta on a left-hand bend before smashing head-on into Luke Winter, of Nether Langwith, on 15th August 2012.

Now it has been revealed that Weston may be released one day a week to help him ‘reintegrate back into the community.’

Following the decision, Bassetlaw MP John Mann, who represents the Winter family, has insisted that he will be raising the issue in Parliament.

Mann said: “Luke Winter was killed by a driver who the judge said was driving dangerously and ‘showing off.

“A daughter was robbed of her father, a family of their son.

“It undermines our justice system if criminals convicted of dangerous driving are then let out of prison early.

“When Parliament returns from recess, I am putting forward a motion calling for dangerous driving to be cracked down on and for full prison terms to be served.”

The Winter family were critical of Weston’s initial five-year jail term, and were left furious after it was reduced by eight months in February by judges at the Court of Appeal.

Mr Geoff Winter, the father of Luke, said: “It’s fundamentally wrong that someone can get killed as a result of somebody else’s actions, and for their death to be treated as insignificant.”

It is not known when Weston’s day release will begin as the Prison Service said it would not comment on individual cases.

Cuckney Hill, near Church Warsop, is a notorious accident blackpot with Luke becoming the sixth person to be killed on the stretch of road since 2006.

Eight years ago, there were three fatal crashes on the same stretch of the A60 and there have been further fatals in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Dozens of other serious and non-serious accidents have also taken place.

The significant number of accidents led to a campaign to ensure speed cameras were installed around the area.

Around 1,500 people signed a Chad petition and was taken to County Hall by former Chad editor Tracy Powell, Mansfield MP, Sir Alan Meale, and Warsop County, Councillor John Allin.

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