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Burglar who killed cyclist while fleeing police jailed for 12 years 6 months

Police say Gary Lynch showed “absolutely no regard for life” when he killed Arthur Bourlet

A driver who killed a cyclist while fleeing police after he committed a spate of burglaries has been jailed for 12 years 6 months.

Nine police cars were involved in the pursuit of Gary Lynch, aged 55 and of no fixed abode, when he struck 75-year-old Arthur Bourlet in Station Road, Isham, Northamptonshire on 11 April this year, causing fatal injuries.

Lynch had been driving a Mitsubishi Shogun which he had stolen earlier that morning at a one of two burglaries he committed in a matter of hours, having earlier also tried to break int a pub.

With the vehicle flagged as stolen, ANPR cameras alerted police to his whereabouts but Lynch drove at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour in what the prosecution described as an “extremely dangerous” manner, ramming several police cars as he tried to escape.

Mr Bourlet had been pushing his bike up the hill on Station Road when Lynch reversed into him, and died in hospital of his injuries on 3 May.

Lynch, who had been brought to a stop by police and arrested shortly after the fatal crash, had been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of burglary and driving while disqualified.

However, from the beginning he refused to take any part in the legal process until Tuesday, when he attended Northampton Crown Court and pleaded guilty to those offences.

He was sentenced to 11 years for causing death by dangerous driving and 18 months for the two burglaries, with the sentences running consecutively. He was also banned from driving for five years.  

DC Ryan Smedley who led Northamptonshire Police’s investigation, said: “Gary Lynch showed absolutely no regard for life on the morning of April 11 – he drove exceptionally dangerously, going the wrong way around roundabouts, running red lights, driving at multiple people who had to jump out of his way and ramming a number of police vehicles in an effort to escape facing his crimes.

“In one desperate attempt to escape, he hit Arthur who was simply out trying to enjoy some morning exercise, causing injuries that sadly led to his death.

“What adds insult to injury as well, is the lack of remorse Lynch has shown throughout this entire process – being abusive to any police officer he has come into contact with, refusing to turn up at his trial and not engaging with the court proceedings at all, until yesterday.

“Having spent time with Arthur’s family over the past few months, it is clear to see what a loved and well-regarded man he was and how much his family relied on him,” he added.

“Lynch has taken Arthur away from them and this has left a pain like no other.”

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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9 comments

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Richard D | 5 years ago
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The law was changed a few years ago to extend driving bans so that they cannot expire, or be significantly diminished, during the period the offender is in custody (s 30 Criminal Justice and Courts Act, 2015).

But the appeal courts have always hated the idea of lifetime - or even lengthy - disqualifications as being counterproductive in terms of both rehabilitation and very likely to be flouted. Instead we have the disqualification until an extended driving test is passed.

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vonhelmet | 5 years ago
1 like

This sounds like a sort of felony murder type thing. We don't really have that in the UK... but it sounds like it.

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AlsoSomniloquism | 5 years ago
4 likes

The report states the sentencing is 11 years for death by Dangerous Driving and 18 months for the two burgularies. 

So at last a good sentence for the former but why so high here and not for others. It is because of him being a known scrote? did they add extra for his other driving offences and classed them all together? 

As for the ban, I think it has been formerly mentioned that bans start after they are released from captivity so would start in 8-12 years time.  However as mentioned, I doubt that would stop him being behind the wheel of something during that time. 
 

Avatar
Sriracha replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 5 years ago
1 like
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

The report states the sentencing is 11 years for death by Dangerous Driving and 18 months for the two burgularies. 

So at last a good sentence for the former but why so high here and not for others. It is because of him being a known scrote? did they add extra for his other driving offences and classed them all together? 

As for the ban, I think it has been formerly mentioned that bans start after they are released from captivity so would start in 8-12 years time.  However as mentioned, I doubt that would stop him being behind the wheel of something during that time. 
 

"...charged with causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of burglary and driving while disqualified."
So, no, the driving disqualification is meaningless.

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alansmurphy replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 5 years ago
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AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

The report states the sentencing is 11 years for death by Dangerous Driving and 18 months for the two burgularies. 

So at last a good sentence for the former but why so high here and not for others. It is because of him being a known scrote? 
 

 

A great question, most people get a stern finger wagging for killing by dangerous driving...

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georgee | 5 years ago
2 likes

One has to assume that he's got 12 years for the burglary and 6 months for killing a cyclist.

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usedtobefaster | 5 years ago
6 likes

Generally I don't agree with capital punishment but in some cases you have to ask yourself what is the point of having certain individuals continuing to use the limited resources of the planet.

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dobbo996 | 5 years ago
8 likes

Sounds like a nice man. What I don't get is the 5-year driving ban. Surely his behaviour and poor Arthur's death (manslaughter, in my view) deserves a lifetime ban. Ah, what's the point of banging on about it, people like him will ignore a ban anyway.  

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peted76 replied to dobbo996 | 5 years ago
0 likes

dobbo996 wrote:

Sounds like a nice man. What I don't get is the 5-year driving ban. Surely his behaviour and poor Arthur's death (manslaughter, in my view) deserves a lifetime ban. Ah, what's the point of banging on about it, people like him will ignore a ban anyway.  

Indeed!

Can I just ask/clarify, his ban starts from the day of his conviction as I understand, so he'll lose and regain his license while he's in prison? (presuming he does actually do five years in clink..)  

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