Taxi driver faces jail after being found guilty of killing pensioner on crossing
A TAXI driver dubbed "an amber gambler" killed a Plymouth pensioner on a pedestrian crossing, a jury has ruled.
Now Andrew Bates is facing almost certain jail after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
Gordon Hollister, pictured left, aged 76 and known to his family and friends as Peter, died on December 13 last year when he was hit by Bates' private-hire cab near the Woolwell roundabout on a pedestrian-controlled crossing he used often.
In her closing speech, prosecutor Jo Martin told the jury of six men and six woman: "He (Bates) was an amber gambler; he was taking a chance.
"The light changed to red and he kept on going.
"It was a deliberate decision by him to overtake and go through the lights, and tragedy was the result."
Bates, aged 44 and of Warwick Orchard Close, Honicknowle, had denied the charge and a lesser alternative of causing death by careless driving. He showed no reaction as the verdict was returned, but there were gasps from the back of the court where his supporters and relatives of Mr Hollister were sitting in the public gallery.
Judge Francis Gilbert QC told Bates he would sentence him on January 20 following a report from the Probation Service.
He granted him unconditional bail but imposed an interim driving ban and warned: "It is all but inevitable that you will receive an immediate custodial sentence."
He also asked Miss Martin to tell the jury about Bates' previous driving convictions.
These included contravening a pedestrian crossing while stationary in 2008, speeding at 40mph in a 30mph limit and 74mph in a 50mph limit and having his taxi licence withdrawn for vehicle defects.
During the trial, the jury heard that Bates drove through a red light in his eight-seater Ford Tourneo after accelerating to overtake a cement mixer as he saw Mr Hollister poised to cross the road.
The pensioner, from Southway, was crossing a two-lane stretch of Tavistock Road following a visit to the nearby Tesco superstore at around 10.45am when the accident happened.
Despite attempts by paramedics and witnesses, he died at Derriford Hospital later that morning.
The jury heard from several eye-witnesses and was also shown graphic photographs of the crash scene.
Bates, the only defence witness, told the court he was "almost sure" the traffic lights were green.
He said he was not in a hurry and claimed Mr Hollister failed to look before stepping out in front of him.
Bates told the jury he was devastated and would do anything to be able to turn the clock back.
Outside the court, Mr Hollister's younger brother Des told The Herald he agreed with the verdict and thought Bates should be jailed.
"I am not vindictive, but people make mistakes and unfortunately they have to pay," he said.
"He made a mistake and it cost me a brother."
Mr Hollister said it had been a long wait for justice, but praised the work of two police officers: family liaison officer MPc Steve Chaplin and officer in the case MPc Abigail Bedson.
MPc Bedson said: "We are satisfied that the jury has reached the correct verdict.
"A year of hard work has gone into this case.
"The people of Plymouth should be able to use the roads and crossings without fear."
56 Comments
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by MickBarb
Sunday, January 22 2012, 4:24AM
“Bates has got a long history of speeding and abusing the police, so how the heck did he ever get a taxi licence?”
by Watawally
Saturday, January 21 2012, 11:17PM
“@batesx you sound just as SELFISH and arrogant like your dad. I think that you are a vile little girl for stating: "My dad will be here for Christmas and WILL have plenty of presents from all of his family who have supported him through the last year of his 'suffering'." What a disgusting, filthy thing to say. What about the gent your dad killed? What about his own families suffering? I don't know the man or his own family your dad killed, but I think you are absolutely vile.
Your dad KILLED somebody.
Basically I think that your dad deserves everything he gets in prison to be honest.
As far as I am concerned you should STFU!”
by smilingduck
Saturday, January 21 2012, 6:33PM
“.batesx
posted dec 23rd from his family member
My dad will be here for christmas and WILL have plenty of presents from all of his family who have supported him through the last year of his suffering !!
His suffering ? what about the poor family whose father he killed !!”
by Watawally
Friday, December 30 2011, 3:14PM
“There are far too many 'amber gamblers' in this city.
I find it quite odd that when the lights are green drivers are travelling the speed limit and above, even when they are about to change... drivers are still happy to travel at speed towards the lights without slowing down. Amber comes on and still find drivers happy to go through. Then another driver goes through and the last couple actually jump red when the lights are on red.
The strange thing about this is: The lights change back to green and the queue is slow as a*s*h*les! Drivers are just taking the Mickey! OR they just don't know the rules of traffic signals!
Apparently there are too many drivers in this city and thereabouts who don't give a stuff about others on the road as long as they can get to where they are going.
Apparently, I don't give a stuff about these selfish people. They get what they deserve. A lot of drivers don't belong on the road. My view is that those who flout the law do not hold driving licences. Too many cars on our roads let's just get all the a*sh*les off! This Taxi driver should rot in jail as far as I am concerned. I will send my condolences to this Gentleman's family and friends.”
by pipmonster
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 12:45AM
“I did feel some pity for the driver until I read about his other convictions.....the taxi licence taken away due to vehicle defects is astounding.This shows a blatant lack of respect to taxing laws.So I can see why he is getting such bad comments on here.”
by graham11
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 11:36PM
“I feel sorry for both families. My mother was killed by a taxi driver reversing down a high street at high speed several years ago. He was jailed for 2 years, so would presumably serve about 8 months in jail. This did not give any joy to myself or my other brothers and sisters. The taxi driver was trying to make a living and feed his family and made a very poor judgement that cost my mother her life. We have all made poor driving decisions at some stage, fortunately is generally takes two to cause an accident and more often than not the other vehicle takes evasive action. When a pedestrian is involved the risks are higher.
I would rather someone was banned from driving for 10 years than sending them to jail and giving them a 3 year driving ban.”
by aquaperlarobe
Monday, December 26 2011, 11:12AM
“is it just me or has the standard of taxi driving just got worse and worse every year.”
by MPstink1
Sunday, December 25 2011, 12:32AM
“Silverline cars, Star cars, Excel cars, all dangerous idiot drivers.....”
by plymouth2012
Saturday, December 24 2011, 7:37PM
“silverline and starcars all in jail anyone know any taxi drivers whos working this christmas lol”
by smilingduck
Saturday, December 24 2011, 4:39PM
“BATESx
Why should any1 think of you ?? you wrote My dad will be here for christmas and WILL have plenty of presents from all of his family who have supported him through the last year of his suffering !!
HIS SUFFERING ?? SHOULD OF THOUGHT OFF THAT BEFORE HE PUT HIS FOOT DOWN THEN !! WHAT ABOUT POOR MR Hollisters FAMILY SUFFERING AND NO PRESENTS TO BUY !!”