Back on the roads of Airstrip One, the latest sentencing outrage...
You might recall the case of Hull cyclist Michael Little who died after being run down by 'hit and
run' killer driver Tony Redfern. At the time Redfern, driving a BMW, was racing his cousin, Lee
Barker who was driving an RS Turbo. Redfern crashed when he lost control whilst doing over 70 MPH in
a 30MPH zone. Redfern also had no licence, insurance etc. and alreay had convictions for a 'hit and
run' and other driving offences.
Well, Redfern got a mediocre 6 year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving (the maximum
possible being 10). Now that has been reduced on appeal to just 4 1/2...
Yup, the UK courts seem to have no will to protect vulnerable road users from even the most
anti-social drivers.
From Hull Daily Mail Monday December 1 2003.
Drivers six-year jail term reduced.
Hull. An unlicenced and speeding driver who was jailed after an accident in which a cyclist died has
had his prison term reduced. The Court of Appeal heard Tony Redfern of North Road, Hull. has shown
"an appalling, selfish and reckless disregard for the safety of others."
Redfern pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court in June to causing the death of Michael Little by
dangerous driving. He was jailed for six years and banned from driving for the same period. But the
23 year old's barrister, Mark Bury, successfully argued the sentence was "manifestly excessive" and
the court reduced it to four-and-a-half years. Redfern, who has never passed a driving test, has a
previous conviction for failing to stop at the scene of an accident.