Family hit out at killer driver

Simon Duxbury, 48, of South Shore, was killed when his Suzuki motorbike was involved in a crash with Pauline Smith’s Jaguar X-Type on Amounderness Way in Fleetwood in April 2014.

Smith, 55, of Burns Road in Fleetwood, was convicted of causing his death by careless driving and sentenced to nine months’ in prison, suspended for 18 months. at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.

She was also ordered to work 80 hours unpaid, and banned from driving for two years on Friday.

But Mr Duxbury’s widow Tracey said: “We are sentenced to a lifetime of grieving for him. Simon had so much more life to live. Even now, we can still hardly believe we will never see him again.

“He was capable, strong and everyone who met Simon liked him. He should still be here with us.”

“He was a wonderful, loving husband. Even now, we can still hardly believe that we will never see him again.

“Simon had a sparkle in his eye and an infectious chuckle..

“He is in our hearts and minds always.

“Pauline Smith has never shown any remorse for what she has done and has refused to accept any responsibility for her actions that day.

“We feel much longer mandatory driving bans should be imposed on drivers who kill.”

Simon’s sister, Jayne Stamatiou, today accused Smith of putting her family through the ordeal of a trial by not pleading guilty.

She said: “She never any remorse or said sorry.”

Jayne said the family was pleased the judge gave the strictest sentence he could, but called for changes in guidelines so tougher punishments can be handed down.

She said: “Sentences for people who kill on the roads are too lenient. They are not severe enough.

She added: “It’s impossible to put into words what you go through when something like this happens.

“We were just a normal family before this, and life is different now Simon is not here for us.

“He was a family man and a wonderful husband who lived for his three children and four grandchildren.

“He was a very charismatic and lovely person.”

Simon, described as a very experienced rider, was on his way home from his job at recycling firm Veolia, where he worked as a driver, when he was hit on the busy road.

The family thanked the emergency services for their response, as well as prosecutor Brian Berlyne.

Sgt Dave Hogarth, of the Road Policing Unit, said; “This was a tragic incident where a man has sadly lost his life.”