I can never forgive him

Gary Huckin was jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Matthew Styles, 19, by dangerous driving.

The 36-year-old showed no emotion as the court heard details of the smash in Pinehurst Road last June which left passenger Michael McCann in a wheelchair bound.

The court case brought new pain for Matthew's mother, Anne, 51, of Gorse Hill, as she heard in detail the massive injuries he died from.

"I'm relieved he has been punished but nothing will bring back my son," she said. "I have got nothing now. My whole life was Matthew as he was my only child. My purpose in life has been taken away.

"He turned round to me at the end and said 'sorry.' I will never forgive him as I don't believe he has shown any remorse.

"People have said he will have to carry this on his conscience for the rest of his life but I have to spend the rest of my life without my son."

Huckin, who, the court heard, fled the scene of the accident without checking his passengers and didn't surrender for 36 hours, had originally denied the charge.

He was due to face trial later this year but changed his plea, finally accepting his driving was so poor it was dangerous.

But Huckin, of Naunton Road, Walcot, refused to accept that drink had played a part in the crash or that he had been travelling at more than 45mph.

Andrew McFarlane, prosecuting, said Matthew and friends had been at a barbecue.

They left in Huckin's grey Ford Mondeo with the defendant driving, Glyn Peters, 20, in the front, while Matthew and Michael, 38, were in the rear seats.

Witnesses told of hearing the car's engine racing as it approached Pinehurst Road.

Mr McFarlane said the car had gone into Pinehurst Road and as it negotiated the chicanes Huckin lost control.

The vehicle hit a tree. The car went into a 360-degree spin and both of the rear seat passengers were thrown from the vehicle on to the road, killing Matthew instantly and leaving Michael McCann critically injured. The third passenger and Huckin received minor injuries.

When Huckin finally gave himself up he told police he had swerved to avoid a dog in the road.

Huckin was also banned from the road for six years and will have to pass an extended retest before he gets his licence back.

The court was told that he had two previous convictions for drink driving and two for driving while disqualified.

'Five years not enough'

CAR crash survivor Michael McCann said the prison sentence did not reflect the pain and suffering families had been through.

After three months at the Great Western Hospital, the 38-year-old is now recovering at home. And now the court case is over, he will put the ordeal behind him.

"As far as I'm concerned, from Matthew's point of view, five years was not long enough and his poor mother has to soldier on without her son," he said.

Michael, of Abbey Meads, is learning to walk and talk again after suffering severe injuries.

The accident left him with limited movement on his right side and he suffered a broken rib cage, broken collarbone and collapsed lungs.

Fiancee Diana Tearall, 31, and their two children have supported him through all the suffering.

And shortly after coming round from sedation, Michael took his survival as a sign and asked Diana to marry him. The ceremony will take place later this year.

Calming plans to start

PLANS for traffic calming in Pine-hurst Road could soon take shape. Councillors are due to meet to discuss feedback from residents.

The area has seen 71 casualties over the past five years, eight of which were serious.

Swindon Council is introducing a 20mph speed limit and is trying to identify ways of enforcement.

About 350 people, including Matthew Styles' mother, Anne, sent in their views on consultation forms or attended an exhibition.

Options for the project now include better lighting, improved signs and speed cushions.

Last year Mrs Styles and the local authority were disgusted after only a handful of consultation forms were returned, although many residents complained they had not received them in the first place.

But, thanks to the Advertiser for publicising the criticism, there was a rise in interest.

When the scheme is agreed work will start and could be completed at the end of the next financial year.

Ben Payne