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Justice (Lonpicman, Wikimedia Commons)London fixed wheel cyclist Charlie Alliston sentenced to 18 months in young offenders institution
Charlie Alliston, the cyclist convicted last month of causing bodily harm through wanton and furious driving in connection with the death of pedestrian Kim Briggs, has been sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment in a young offenders institution.
The 20-year-old from Bermondsey was cleared at his trial at the Old Bailey last month of manslaughter, but the jury found him guilty on the second charge, which has a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.
Mrs Briggs, aged 44, died in hospital from head injuries sustained when she and Alliston were involved in a collision as she crossed London's Old Street in February last year.
Alliston had been riding a fixed wheel bike with no front brake, meaning it was not legal for use on the road.
Sentencing him today, Judge Wendy Jospeph QC told Alliston that she believed he rode the bike for a "thrill," reports the London Evening Standard.
She said: "I am satisfied in some part it was this so-called thrill that motivated you to ride without a front brake shouting and swearing at pedestrians to get out of the way.
"I've heard your evidence and I have no doubt that even now you remain obstinately sure of yourself and your own abilities.
"I have no doubt you are wrong in this. You were an accident waiting to happen.
"The victim could have been any pedestrian. It was in fact Mrs Kim Briggs."
She continued: "If your bicycle had a front wheel brake you could have stopped but on this illegal bike you could not and on your evidence, by this stage, you were not even trying to slow or stop.
"You expected her to get out of the way," the judge added.
Speaking in mitigation on behalf of Alliston, Mark Wyeth QC said: "What we do not have is a callous young man who doesn't give a damn about anything."
He added: "There is within him, I respectfully submit, a lot of internal sense of emotional turmoil but keeps this hidden as a coping strategy."
The court heard Alliston was depressed, had broken up with his girlfriend and lost his job.
After Alliston was sentenced Mrs Briggs’ husband Matthew, who has called for careless or dangerous cyclists to be subject to the same laws as motorists, said: “I would like to thank the judge Wendy Joseph for her comments this morning.
“This case has clearly demonstrated that there is a gap in the law when it comes to dealing with causing death or serious injury by dangerous cycling.
“To have to rely on either manslaughter at one end, or a Victorian law that doesn’t even mention causing death at the other end tells us that there is a gap. The fact that what happened to Kim is rare is not a reason for there to be no remedy.”
He continued: “I am pleased to say that we have made very good progress towards updating the law and I would like to thank the media, the public, my MP Heidi Alexander and also the transport minister for their support and commitment to resolving this matter.
“I would also like to use this opportunity to call on bike retailers and courier companies to help me get fixed wheeled and velodrome bikes without front brakes off the road.
“Whilst I would commend the five major retailers who have withdrawn products or altered their websites in response to my calls, I am still seeing too many retailers irresponsibly advertising these bikes.”
“The vast majority of people I see riding these bikes are couriers. I would call on these companies to help me get these bikes off the road."
He added: “They are illegal and as we have seen with Kim’s death, they are potentially lethal.”
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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130 comments
In that case the car slid on black ice and the bald tyres were irrelevant, they did not cause the accident.
driving a car knowing it had defective tyres at dangerous speeds (50mph round a bend on an untreated road, even if you didn't know the road was treated going so fast in icy conditions is deliberately ignoring the safety of everyone around you, it's recklessly dangerous with known outcomes to EVERYONE and it should have being manslaughter. To absolve the driver of such negligence and knowing that the action would have lost control in the conditions more often than not makes an utter mockery of the so called 'justice' system.
If he'd being swinging an axe in the middle of the high street when it was busy with pedestrians and he'd killed 4 of them because they didn't get out the way do you think he'd have got a £180 fine? FUCK OFF!
The judge's comments are extremely interesting https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sentencing-remar...
It says, amongst many other things, that he withdrew the allegation that she was on her phone, and that the bike will be confiscated. I have to say, it is, as you would expect, a well reasoned piece of work, but there are some things I would disagree about. But read it yourselves and reach your own conclusions.
Maybe wilk, but we are an out group. Day after day motorists are killing people whilst drunk, using a mobile, driving without sunglasses, visually impaired or in cars not fit for the road. We barely hear a mention.
This story is being repeated on the radio every half hour with vitriol, "thrill-seeking", "aggressive" et al interchanged.
Apparently we are all a dangerous menace and those travelling beyond the speed in 2 tons of metal are all good!
I was behind a little old lady driving a Honda Jazz this morning, utterly incompetent. Every corner was taken like a 50p piece, weaving all over the road, no idea of the width of her car. When I went past her she could barely see over the steering wheel. Accident waiting to happen, there should be compulsory tests every 3 years for the over 70s.
What? Every over 70?
Plenty of shit drivers throughout the whole age spectrum.
They should all be retested more frequently, and the older ones should probably have to pass a rigorous medical (not just self-certifying themselves).
Agreed. But the license is good until age 70 and then you should be retested. My Nan insisted on driving for years longer than she should, only finally gave up her license when she rolled her Daihatsu Charade (Turbo) after hitting a parked car. Like Jackie she was pretty handy behind the wheel (and handlebars) in her youth but incapacity, particularly with regard to eyesight, creeps up slowly and is not always noticed by the driver.
RIP little GTti
cracking little engine in those!
My Grandparents over 70 were frightening to be driven by... for about 10 years
if anything this case, reinforces the need to cyclists to have a camera on their bike or helmet, as it always comes down to he said, she said, and with how the public is always againsts cyclists, having actual proof of an incident is ammunition for the cyclist and a giant F you to everyone else who thinks cyclists have no reguard for anyone, as well as proving that pedestrians are more interested in their bloody phones than safely crossing a road.
The testimony that he typically sweared and yelled at pedestrians as he cycled on his non-legal bike is pertinent. It would have definately added to his sentence. He sounds like a nasty piece of work to me.
Its unfortunate Kim Briggs did not survive snd tell us her account of what happened. No one has explained why a mother of 2 would actually risk her life attempting to cross into, effectively, a "lions den". Was she drinking or was she sick..her husband has remained silent as to her demeaner. I hope he has made sure his kids cross safely. I wonder if he really is a cyclist as he claims. I mean then wouldn't she have been more cyclist aware? WNBR is about cyclists aware etc where it makes a point you will be more noticed if your riding naked as people will look, slow or even stop. Perhaps this would have prevented this accident or any other.
"Mrs Briggs’ husband Matthew, who has called for careless or dangerous cyclists to be subject to the same laws as motorists"
Fortunately for Mr Briggs, the cyclist has been sentenced much more harshly than most motorists who have killed cyclists (according to reports I have read on cycling websites). Obviously it is of little comfort to anyone in his situation even so.
Good. No sympathy whatsoever. That poor woman died because he was acting like a dick. Can't believe the amount of 'whataboutery' on this thread.
So you don't think that crossing a road not at a pedestrian crossing when there was one a few metres away, and looking at her mobile phone whilst doing so, had no contribution to the collision?
He may have been acting like a dick by being a typically arrogant youth and not having a front brake, but he did try to avoid her, shouted a warning and she stepped back into his path. Please tell us what you think of the way she acted?
She wasn't on her phone, that allegation was withdrawn. She jaywalked. Like me at leat a dozen times today. And all of us.
Dont tar the rest of us with the shitty brush youve given a going over with.
I have awareness when crossing the road because Im am sinbgularly aware that at least 1500kg steel boxes will be hurtling towards me that do so with impunity.
If you cant cross the road using the 5 fucking senses you were given (until the day we have presumed liability and it is strictly enfroced), then its best you just stay in your fucking hovel and stop passing the buck onto everyone else to stop you being a Darwinain statistic
No she didn't. Jaywalking is not a thing in the UK.
Okay, she stepped out at a non-designated crossing. Like me at least a dozen time today.
Judge Wendy Joseph has demoted the green cross code out off existance and given pedestrians the green light to cross anywhere without looking nor jump out of the way and without resposibilty. Anymore similar deaths are on her head as she FAILED to contribute any blame on Kim Briggs. Rather blaming all onto lack of front brake clearly says she is anti-cylist but, what about the jury as none appeared to have questioned the legitimacy of the much critised cop video test as evidence. I and a family member have been knocked down by a car and it was considerd not drivers fault but if they were cycling, what then?
There was a case of that thug cop Simon Harwood who deliberately killed..
Harhttps://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/pc-simo...
But Jury let him off despite killing innocent victim Ian Tomlinson.
Where is the justice here??
Once again I'll point out that pedestrians are under NO obligation to wait for the green man, cross at pedestrian crossings and especially not wait at zebra crossings.
In short they are allowed to cross where and when they like.
It is down to the user of a wheeled vehicle to give way to them and expect the unexpected.
Many years ago I used to help teach people to ride motorcycles, it was always drummed into us and new trainees that if you hit a pedestrian you had better have an iron clad reason, otherwise when you went to court it was time to eat humble pie before and pack a toothbrush for after the sentence.
On the issue of the sentencing killing someone with any wheeled vehicle should be a minimum of 10 years with no remission.
I can't see how a custodial sentance helps anyone here, this whole thing is a farce. The daily heil readers will be loving this, twunts.
Alliston is just a young idiot, since when do we as a society lock young idiots up? I'm pretty sure usually we just send them off to start political careers, or go and work in their local district councils.
Clearly miscarriage of justice and Alliston framed for Kim Briggs's death despite everyone knowing she also contributed to the accident and actually, endangered herself but a lot of prople remain in denial. I hope he has appealed. Her husbsnd says he is a cyclist too, so should she not have been more cyclist aware?? I've had similar experiences as Alliston where even the best of brakes would not have made any difference let alone having an opportunity to even apply them as in 1 instance, where only swift actions of steering left to right in the opposite directions to the pedestrian movements avoided a collision and the road being free of cars allowed that. But yet again pedestrian refused to use lit zebra crossing only few metres ahead. 2nd instance was when a pedestrian appeared directly in my path despite myself in hi-vis. Happened so suddenly and unexpectantly that the only way to decribe it was that i went into autopilot and it was not me making the decisions as i recall applying brakes and realising them, simultaneously shouting out 2 audible warnings and pedestrian still in my path, not even looking to his right. I probably slowed to about 15mph and it was only when i was about a meter or 2 from impact, did he notice and jump out of the way. I can now officially say that actually, depending on your skills and experience, your auto reactions will takeover and do whats necessary to save harm to yourself..you will not be able to make ANY conscious decisions yourself. As a teenager i have tipped over during panic braking and other times back wheel lifting during heavy breaking. So i have learnt emergency braking can be dangerous on 2 wheels which is why i can say for certain i automatically released the brakes to remain in control for my own safety. That cop video stopping test is a fraud. To stop in 3metres from 18mph no human on any bike could possibly do that. The back wheel did not even lift. The test should only be government approved like stopping distances for cars. I hope courts do not use this much critised test as a benchmark in future cases.
But everybody doesn't know, because the media is whitewashing the whole thing. No mention in MSM of the fact that she was on her phone or that she was crossing near a pedestrian crossing but not at it. Most people who have seen the MSM reports will blame the cyclist 100% because it will not present facts that don't support its view that pedestrians can do no wrong and cyclists can do no right.
People aren't in denial because the media keep them ignorant of the facts. They can't deny what they don't know.
[quote=burtthebike]<p>[quote=Copsframecyclist]Clearly miscarriage of justice and Alliston framed for Kim Briggs's death despite everyone knowing she also contributed to the accident and actually, endangered herself but a lot of prople remain in denial.[/quote]</p>
<p>But everybody doesn't know, because the media is whitewashing the whole thing. No mention in MSM of the fact that she was on her phone or that she was crossing near a pedestrian crossing but not at it. Most people who have seen the MSM reports will blame the cyclist 100% because it will not present facts that don't support its view that pedestrians can do no wrong and cyclists can do no right.</p>
<p>People aren't in denial because the media keep them ignorant of the facts. They can't deny what they don't know.</p>[/quote]
You're right. The media only reported on what Alliston did and demonised him which is why he went all defensive. But the same media portrayed Kim Briggs as completely innocent, vulnerable mother of 2 and a wife..so i ask was she drinking and impaired to be on the road?
I don't have any sympathy for the rider with regards to the sentence.
He was clearly in the wrong and someone died. She may not have looked, she may not have been on a crossing, he may not have been going really fast, he may have shouted - all of those facts were known at the trial and it was found that he was responsible and so has been sentenced acordingly.
Frequently a driver of a motor vehicle would have received a lesser penalty - but it is the lesser penalty that would be wrong and I'd hate to think that just because some people get away with it we'd decide to let everyone off lightly - that is not the way to safer roads.
Lets not campaign against this sentence but rather lets campaign agaisnt inapproriate light sentences handed out frequently to those driving much more dangerous vehicles.
Its a fair point... my issues with the sentence is around inequalities around application of custodial sentence and the amount of emotion seemingly involved in the case.
The reality is however, there is nothing wrong with the sentence here... its the lack of adequate punishment being dished out elsewhere that makes it seem skewed... and you are right, that is where our focus needs to be placed, pushing more appropriate sentencing to address the hoards of killers walking our streets.
Cycling UK has been doing exactly that for years. The government promised a review of road law and sentencing three years ago, but we're still waiting.
Have you written to your MP?
This law breaking young idiot has been given a ridiculously lenient sentence, to make more law-breaking friends and watch colour TV whilst playing playstation games, very comfortable and very cushy. I wanted to see at least 5 yrs if not more.
Once again, the law in this country is an absolute joke. Justice has not taken place.
Seriously... wow, what punishment would you bestow on the majority of motorists that kill who walk free from court?
The maximum was 2 years. His wontaness was not having a brake... I'd say it was a pretty heavy application of the law.
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