Edward Adams, the 61 year old farmer who struck Beijing Para-Cycling hero Simon Richardson MBE has been jailed for 18 months and given a five year driving ban at Cardiff Crown Court today.
Richardson, who shot to prominence by winning two gold and one silver medal in Beijing in 2008, was struck by Adams’ vehicle near his home in Porthcawl, South Wales in August 2011, leaving the athlete in a critical condition with a fractured spine, broken pelvis, collapsed lung and perforated bowel; shattering his dream of competing in the London 2012 Paralympic cycling events, which began today.
Following the crash, Adams, a serial drink driving offender, was reported to have rushed home in his vehicle, before hiding it and downing a glass of whisky in an attempt to disguise the fact that he had been drinking before the collision. At noon on the day of the collision, however, Adams was found to be more than two times over the legal limit.
Upon passing sentence, Judge Daniel Williams said Adams had shown limited empathy for his victim - and none of the courage and dignity displayed by Mr Richardson; a fact which was corroborated by Richardson when the athlete spoke to British Cycling a few hours after the sentence was passed: “[The Defendant] showed no remorse, totally ignored me and really got a telling off before he went down,” said Richardson, who had driven back to Cardiff from London after being a Paralympic torchbearer.
Richardson was pleased with the sentence that was handed out to Adams and hoped this the case and his profile as an athlete would help improve conditions for all cyclists: “It’s more about using my profile to help increase awareness so average cyclists can get a better deal in the courts and that drunk driving becomes dangerous driving,” said Richardson. “We knew his sentence would be two years or more and he was on or near the maximum that could be handed out.”
Martin Gibbs, British Cycling Policy and Legal Affairs Director said: “We are pleased that the case has come to a conclusion and Simon can now concentrate on returning to the sport at which he has been so successful. We thank the police and the CPS for their success in bringing Edward Adams to Court. There is no doubt that this case merited a custodial sentence and a long ban.
“The way the justice system operates when people are hurt on the roads is an issue that affects everyone. That is why British Cycling and other cycling organisations are calling on the Government to do a full review of how the system operates, from crash investigation all the way through to sentencing.”
“Cases often don’t get to Court or result in sentences that send the wrong message about how people are expected to behave on the roads.”
In his summing up, Judge Williams reported that "Mr Richardson was clearly visible - cycling close to the kerb and wearing bright clothing.” He also added that Adams’ claims that he was affected by sneezing and sunlight were wholly untrue. It was therefore clear that Richardson was taking all reasonable precautions and cycling safely at the time of the collision, in stark contrast to the actions of Adams. We asked the Paralympian what he thought can be done to change driver attitudes and improve cycling safety on UK roads.
“Its grass roots awareness,” said Richardson. “Once you’re in your little box you forget everything else. It’s trying to get over to them that that cyclist you’re overtaking could be their child or another member of their family.”
We asked if Simon thought that cycling awareness should be incorporated into driver training: “Definitely – you need that and you need more cycling proficiency in schools. They don’t do it in all areas. It would help with the children to know where they should be on the road as well.”
Looking to the future, Richardson is heading back to London to support his fellow athletes on the road and track at the Paralympics, before a major back operation scheduled for the end of September. With the court case now behind him, Simon feels he can move on with his life: “I’ve got closure now – I can concentrate on my operation which is the main thing now.”
