Two guilty over fatal Gatwick car park crash
25.07.10
Two men have been convicted of causing death by careless driving after a woman died in a two-vehicle road crash outside a Gatwick Airport car park. The drivers, Christopher Solomon, from Spain, and Geoffrey Bratt, of Northamptonshire, had both denied the charge at Hove Crown Court.
Joanna Jones was in Mr Solomon's Toyota Yaris when it crashed with Mr Bratt's Land Rover Discovery in March 2009. They were going to Venice for a belated Valentine's Day trip, and as Mr Solomon turned right into a long-term car park he cut across the path of Mr Bratt's oncoming vehicle, which was travelling at 64mph in a 40mph zone.
Inspector Peter Verney said: ‘This was a tragic and totally avoidable collision that cut short the life of a young and very talented woman. Through their careless actions, both Christopher Solomon and Geoffrey Bratt each share some of the blame for her untimely death. I hope that this case highlights the potential consequences of inattention and the inappropriate use of speed.’
Mr Solomon, 29, formerly of Radlett in Hertfordshire but now living in Spain, was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid service. He was banned from driving for 3 years, ordered to take an extended driving test after the ban and ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs.
Mr Bratt, 67, of Weedon, was given a nine month suspended jail term, banned from driving for three years, ordered to take an extended driving test after the ban and to pay £2,300 prosecution costs.
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