The law needs to change, according to a widower whose wife died after being struck by a cyclist

The law needs to change, according to a widower whose wife died after being struck by a cyclist, following a case yesterday in which another cyclist received barely a year in prison for the death of a senior church minister.

In Monmouth, South Wales, Stewart McGinn, 29, struck Jane Stone, 79, head-on as he careered around a corner at a high rate of speed. Stewart McGinn was sentenced on Thursday.

However, the only offence for which he could be held accountable was one covered by the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act and involving horse-drawn vehicle accidents.

By “wanton or furious driving while being in charge of a bicycle,” which carries a maximum sentence of just two years, he admitted to inflicting bodily harm on Jane Stone.

A new crime of causing death by reckless cycling, according to Matt Briggs, needs to be passed into law as soon as possible in the wake of the most recent tragedy.

Charlie Alliston, who was travelling at 18 mph on an illegal fixed-wheel bike without front brakes, struck and killed his wife Kim in east London in 2016.

Alliston was found guilty of causing bodily harm by “wanton and furious driving,” but was exonerated of manslaughter.

“This is another senseless death,” Mr. Briggs told MailOnline. “My heart goes out to Jane Stone’s family and friends during this difficult time.

What number of tragedies must occur before the law is changed?

Prosecutors are once again forced to use the antiquated “wanton and angry” offence, which omits any mention of death.

It is a Victorian law that was originally intended to regulate horseback riding.

These crimes keep happening, and the punishment is simply ineffective.

“Had this been a motorist? The Road Traffic Act provides specific remedies for this, jurors and barristers know what they are dealing with, and the punishment is 14 years.”

However, it is only two years under “wanton and angry.” I’ve been lobbying for a new offence of causing death by reckless cycling for the past five years since Kim passed away.

Every transport minister I’ve spoken with has been very open to the idea, and Grant Shapps promised it would happen earlier this year, but it hasn’t happened yet.

I’m not sure if the pandemic and Brexit have slowed it down, or if it’s the pro-cycling lobby. Now, we are so close.

Tragedies like this highlight the need for law reform.

At McGinn’s trial, video was played to the jury that showed him riding at a high rate of speed as Mrs. Stone walked alongside a friend on her way back from the movies on a warm summer evening.

The retired teacher is then struck by the cyclist and knocked to the ground before being thrown “violently” back onto the sidewalk.

Then, as Mrs. Stone lay dying, McGinn hopped back on his bike and stood up to pedal faster away.

She later passed away in the hospital from severe head injuries.

Mrs. Stone was unable to avoid the collision and passed away in the hospital four days after being hurt while returning home from the movie theater on a warm summer night.

According to prosecutor James Wilson, McGinn struck her as he came around the corner on his bike with only one working brake.

She suffered a severe skull fracture when she fell to the ground and landed on her head, the man claimed.

“The defendant cycled away without stopping or providing any assistance.”

Janet Bromley, a friend of Mrs. Stone, claimed that the force of the blow “poleaxed” Jane to the ground.

‘He collided with Jane’s body, the front of the bike collided with the front of Jane’s body,’ Mrs. Bromley reportedly told police.

It violently pushed her body back, knocking her hands raised past it.

She continued by claiming that Mrs. Stone’s head “struck the pavement” before her friend’s feet were “lifted off the ground.”

After the collision in June of last year, the father-of-one McGinn stayed on the mountain bike and rode to his mother-in-house, law’s according to Mr. Wilson, who testified in court in Cardiff.

He claimed that Mrs. Bromley shouted to him, “I’m on my own, please help me,” but he disregarded her and rode off.

Only 10 days after the collision in Monmouth, South Wales, did McGinn turn himself in to police.

He falsely claimed to have stopped to assist Mrs. Stone in getting to her feet and to check on her well-being.

David Bruton, Mrs. Stone’s brother, stated in a victim impact statement that his sister was “healthy and active,” enjoyed long walks, swimming, and yoga, and was not “a frail old lady.”

“He will have to live with the consequences of his actions and causing the death of another person,” defense attorney Ben Waters said.

In the words of the judge, McGinn displayed “flagrant disregard for the safety of others.”

She sentenced McGinn to a year in prison, even though the maximum sentence was two years, and imposed a two-year, six-month driving ban on him.

“You were on the pavement riding far too fast and collided with Jane Stone with considerable force,” she told him.

“You didn’t signal your approach, and they didn’t see any lights on your bike.”

They had no chance of avoiding you because you were riding on the sidewalk and going very fast around the corner when you knew you couldn’t see anyone.

She claimed that McGinn “made a deliberate decision to ignore or disregard the rules of the road” which “apply just as well to cyclists as to other road users” and that “this was not a momentary inattention.”

McGinn, a resident of Monmouth, was accused of violating the 1861 Offenses Against Person Act.

No sentence, according to Judge Lloyd-Clarke, would lessen the suffering endured by Mrs. Stone’s family.

“She gave her time to help others, and her loss will be felt by many people for a very long time,” the speaker said.

After the judgment, Ryan Randall of the CPS said: “McGinn rode his bike around the corner in a completely reckless manner.”

His reckless riding of the pedal cycle put other road users in danger, and his disregard for their safety while using the pavement proved to be disastrous.

Those who have experienced the tragic loss of Mrs. Stone are in our thoughts.

Following the tragedy in her native Monmouth, South Wales, Mrs. Stone’s family paid tribute to her and praised her for being “very caring and active.”

According to a statement, “She was healthy and physically active, abseiling down the church tower just a few years ago to raise money.”

She was raised and educated in Monmouth before completing her teacher training in London, where she earned respect and admiration for her work.

She returned to her roots after becoming a widow and retiring, getting deeply involved in many facets of Monmouth life.

She served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and was a former churchwarden of St. Thomas’s Church.

She was also actively involved in all church activities, offering assistance and support to neighbors as needed.

She loved long distance hiking and set a goal of traveling 1,000 miles each year.

She was currently hiking Offa’s Dyke from South to North Wales with a walking companion.

Jane was a cherished family member who kept a close eye on the lives of her great nieces and nephews.

Her church paid tribute to “full of life” Jane, a churchwarden who they called “supportive and tireless.”

‘Jane was always so full of life and willing to share not only her time but also her faith in her care for others,’ a spokesman for Monmouth Parishes said.

She served as a churchwarden for many years and was a dedicated sacristan who contributed her considerable talents to ensuring that the highest standards were upheld during worship.

She made a significant contribution to St. Thomas PCC and was a lively participant in house groups and study groups. She was also a gracious hostess.

All who knew her well described her as “a fearless and devoted friend.”

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