A man who killed a 56-year-old woman while driving under the influence of cannabis has pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Steven Agar spoke only to confirm his identity and enter his plea as the family of his victim, Gena Close, along with members of his own family, watched from the public gallery.
Speaking in Agar’s defence, Paul Walker asked that he be released on bail prior to his sentencing on May 25 for a pre-sentence report to be compiled and to allow his client time to write a letter to Mrs Close’s family who paid tribute the “devoted mother” during the hearing.
Mrs Close died at Southampton General Hospital following the collision with Agar on August 23, 2017.
Mr Walker said: “He tells me he has attempted to write a letter to Gena Close’s family but his emotions simply overcome him on many occasions.
“It’s something he will do, but he’s found it extremely difficult.”
Granting bail as per Mr Walker’s request, Judge Timothy Mousley QC also imposed an interim driving ban, saying: “Any of that information will only be relevant to the length of the sentence, it will be a sentence of some length.”
Mr Walker added: “Mr Agar hasn’t stepped foot in a motor car as driver or passenger since.”
The maximum sentence for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs currently stands at 14 years imprisonment, but the government has announced plans to increase this sentence to life following a major consultation.
AND IN DRUG DRIVING NEWS
Loss Of Job And Licence For Drug Driving Roofer
South Durham Magistrates have heard how a 20-year-old roofer has lost his job after being caught drug driving.
Prosecutor John Garside told the court that Christopher Devine was pulled over by police after they spotted him driving “aggressively”.
Devine’s solicitor Tom Morgan said that his client had taken cocaine the previous night, socially, and was not a habitual user. He did not realise the drug would still be in his system.
Mr Morgan went on to say: “He has learned his lesson. He has actually lost his employment as a result of this. He was in the roofing trade and needed his licence for work and his employment has already been terminated, so he has lost out in more ways than just transport.”
Devine pleaded guilty to drug driving, and magistrates banned him from the roads for 12 months, along with fining him £120 plus ordering him to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
AND IN MORE DRINK DRIVING NEWS
No Cab Fare Leads To Drink Driving Ban For Teenager
An 18-year-old ski instructor has been banned from driving for 12 months after being caught drink-driving at 1.30am.
Kirklees Magistrates Court heard that Harrison Burgess only got behind the wheel because he didn’t have enough money left after a night out for his cab fare.
Vanessa Jones, prosecuting, told the court that Burgess was pulled over by police in Scissett on April 17. Officers administered a breathalyser test and he was found to have 54mcg alcohol per 100ml breath, where the legal limit is 35mcg.
With no previous convictions, Burgess chose to represent himself, and he said that he had just come back from a ski instructors course in Italy. He had visited a friend in town who had been on the same course.
“I parked up and went to a few pubs and I later realised that I didn’t have enough money for a cab home,” he said.
“I thought I was feeling fine and that clearly was not the case.
I’m really sorry about what happened and I understand the consequences.”
Burgess pleaded guilty to drink driving and, in addition to the 12-month ban, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
AND IN MORE DRINK DRIVING NEWS
Police Officer Faces Sack After Drink Driving To Work
A Swansea Police officer with an exemplary record faces the sack after being caught and charged with drink driving.
PC Sara Morris, 47, was caught at more than twice the legal drink driving limit and has been banned from the roads for 20 months.
Prosecuting, Sian Vaughn said that Morris was witnessed arriving at Swansea Central Police Station a few minutes before 7am on April 21.
“Officers on duty saw the defendant parking and when a sergeant spoke to her she wasn’t herself – quiet, detached and struggling to hold a conversation,” said Vaughn.
On breathalysing their colleague, officers found her to have 83mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Morris said during interview that the previous night she had drunk a bottle of wine and “a few inches” of another bottle.
Mitigating for the officer, Lee Davies said she “bitterly regretted” her actions, adding “she is at serious risk of dismissal.”
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: “Following the conclusion of legal proceedings in relation to Sara Morris, the case will now be considered by South Wales Police’s professional standards department.”
District Judge David Parsons told Morris that her conviction for drink driving “would be far-reaching beyond today”.
Choosing not to impose a custodial sentence, Judge Parsons banned Morris from the roads for 20 months, imposed a fine of £770 and ordered her to pay £162 in costs.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
