Sponsored by
Teacher's crash death: Driver walks free
A man who caused the death of a Wigan teacher has walked free from court.
James Ball was given a three month suspended sentence and ordered to do 300 hours unpaid work by St Helens Magistrates' Court, following the tragedy in which Samantha Houghton died.
Mrs Houghton, 33, was killed after her car was hit by Ball's Transit Van in Catchdale Moss Lane, Eccleston.
Mrs Houghton, an English teacher at Lowton High School, died at Whiston Hospital from multiple injuries shortly after the crash which took place at around 4.20pm on November 3rd.
The court heard how Ball, 48, from Highfield Avenue, Shevington, was heading back towards his home at the end of his work day and hit the curb on the road that is known as a traffic blackspot.
Ball tried to get control of his van but couldn't and swerved onto the other side of the road where he collided with Mrs Houghton's Toyota Yaris and both vehicles ended up in a nearby field.
Miss McCracken, prosecuting, said: "Mr Ball was travelling at about 40 to 45mph, which was within the speed limit, but it was too fast for the bend."
Miss Snowdon, defending, said: "For this tragedy Mr Ball has asked me to offer his deepest and most sincere apology to the family of Mrs Houghton.
"The incident has had a profound effect on Mr Ball.
"He is considerably traumatised and the emotional and psychological effects are with him since the event and will be with him for the rest of his life."
Judge Ian Lomax added: "No matter how distressed you (Ball) are or what problems you will face it will not compare to the trauma suffered by the family of Mrs Houghton every day of their lives."
Ball had recently been given a fixed penalty fine for speeding, which the judge told Ball was significant to the case: "You clearly have an issue of recognising the appropriate speed," said the judge.
Mrs Houghton, from Park Road, Prescot, left behind two young children and husband Kevin.
Ball, who admitted causing death by careless driving, was given a three month sentence suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out 300 hours unpaid work within the community.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
