Drink-driver killed cyclist (From Witney Gazette)

Drink-driver killed cyclist

3:15pm Monday 19th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

A VAN driver who was swigging port as he drove along and killed a cyclist has been jailed for four years.

Mark Bugler, from Schofield Gardens, Witney, had drunk three-quarters of a bottle of port during a two-hour journey from Heathrow airport, where he had inspected an aircraft engine blade.

It was also possible his nearside dipped-headlight was not working when he failed to see Haydn Warren, 57, cycling home along the unlit A4146, in Hertfordshire.

Mr Warren, who lived near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was wearing a high-visibility jacket, and his bicycle was well lit. He had been married 40 years, and had two children and eight grandchildren.

Bugler, 26, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. He was banned from driving for five years.

Natalie Carter, prosecuting, told the hearing at Luton Crown Court on Friday last week that the accident happened on February 28 last year, at 6.40pm.

Bugler hit Mr Warren from behind, and drove on some distance before stopping.

Police found an empty bottle of port in his briefcase and dregs of port in a soft drinks bottle, found in the door pocket.

There was also an empty wine bottle and empty can of cider in a holdall. Bugler said he had drunk from a wine bottle immediately after the crash, before throwing it into a field. A back calculation from a breath test gave him a reading of almost double the legal limit, said Mrs Carter. "He must have been getting more and more inebriated as he drove along," she said.

Patrick Rappo, defending, said: "He was taking way too much alcohol in ludicrous circumstances, and it is utterly horrific that this has happened.

"He has since sought counselling, which has resulted in a dramatic overhaul of his drinking.

"His remorse is spoken in volume in letters he has written to the court, and he accepted responsibility from the outset."

Judge John Bevan told him: "You were drinking port while driving, which was reckless and stupid. Driving over the limit is antisocial, unacceptable, and inherently dangerous."