Driver sentenced for causing death of horse rider

Thursday 09 February 2012

A man has been given a suspended jail sentence and a three year driving ban after causing the death of 63-year-old horse rider, Jane Mitchinson, by driving carelessly.

Mrs Mitchinson and another rider were thrown from their horses when Hugh Boyle’s Toyota van crashed into the animals as they were riding along Ashwells Road in Pilgrims Hatch on Sunday 16 January 2011.

Mrs Mitchinson, from Brentwood, died instantly at the scene. Both horses also died as a result of the impact. The other rider, a man, was also thrown from his horse but escaped serious injury.

Mr Boyle, a 52-year-old man from Kelvedon Hatch in Essex, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 300 hours of community service on 2 February 2012 for causing Mrs Mitchinson’s death.

Mr Boyle had previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mrs Mitchinson.

An investigation by Essex Police Serious Collision Investigation unit showed that Mr Boyle did not adjust his driving sufficiently to compensate for the bright sunlight at the time, resulting in him not seeing the horses in the road.

The senior investigating officer, Insp Keith Whiting said: "This case shows drivers must always have the highest level of concentration. The consequences of not taking care are massive.

"Our thoughts are with Mrs Mitchinson’s family who live with her loss and I’m sure Mr Boyle lives with the thought of taking a person’s life.

"I hope others will also learn and prevent such unnecessary deaths occurring in the future.”

Mrs Mitchinson's family said: "Nothing will ever be able to bring Jane back or replace the light that has been so senselessly taken from our lives.

"We hope that the sentence passed will act as a reminder of the consequences of driving negligently and the lives it can destroy.

"Although the loss of such a wonderful mother and partner will always be with us, we hope we can now start remembering the intensely happy life we shared together. We also know that she will be remembered as the most caring, giving and warm hearted person by her many friends.

"The family would like to thank Essex Police and in particular PC Daniel Waller for all the help and care given to us throughout this awful time."

Photo: jayneandd

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