Sentenced for careless driving (From Stroud News and Journal)

Sentenced for careless driving

LORRY driver Kirkland Lines, 22, was cleared on Wednesday of causing his pregnant girlfriend's death in a horrific crash near Stroud.

But he was convicted of careless driving and was fined £2,000 and banned from driving for 18 months.

The jury at Gloucester crown court heard how Kimberley Abbott, 17, died when she was thrown out of Lines' car after it went out of control on the Ebley by-pass, near Stroud.

The prosecution alleged he had caused her death by driving too fast. But Lines of Convent Gardens, South Woodchester near Stroud, claimed that Miss Abbott had become hysterical in the car and had opened the door and threatened to jump out.

He said it was as he was trying to prevent her doing so that he lost control and crashed.

The jury found Lines not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving but guilty of careless driving.

Judge Hutton told the jury he 'entirely agreed' with their verdict.

Passing sentence the judge told Lines it was a very serious example of the offence of careless driving because it had such tragic consequences.

He gave Lines a year in which to pay the £2,000 (pounds) fine.