Lawyer Says Sentence Shows Serious Nature Of Crime

The family of a man killed when a drunk driver crashed into his car and forced him off the road have vowed to battle on for justice after the man responsible for his death was today sentenced to four years in prison. 

Richard Mail was also banned from driving for two years at Bradford Crown Court for causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit. 

24-year-old former soldier Gary Pedelty was killed on 22 November, 2010 as he drove along Huddersfield Road in Meltham.  Richard Mail was travelling in the opposite direction and clipped another car before colliding with the Mazda that Gary was driving, forcing him off the road and into a wall.  Despite the best efforts of medics, Gary died at the scene of the accident.

Today his parents, Aletia and Kevin Pedelty, said nothing would ever bring back the loving son and brother that their family had lost and expressed their anger that Gary's death could so easily have been avoided.  They have voiced their determination to continue battling for justice in his name.

In a bid to better understand the circumstances surrounding their son's death, they have called on serious injury and fatal collision specialist Nicola Perrott from law firm Irwin Mitchell's Leeds office to help in their search for answers.

Speaking on behalf of the Pedelty family following the hearing, Nicola Perrott said: “This has been a horrendous time for Mr and Mrs Pedelty, who are still trying to come to terms with the death of their son.

“Gary was a former soldier, talented rugby player and a much-loved member of a very close knit family.  His death was nothing short of a tragedy and the sentence handed down today demonstrates the serious nature of the crime that the Defendant committed.

“Though relieved that the Defendant driver has today been banned from driving and sent to prison for four years, the Pedelty family are devastated at the sentence and feel that is not harsh enough.  Although the criminal process has now come to an end, the family remain extremely traumatised by their loss.”

Commenting on her family's loss, Aletia Pedelty, said: “Gary's death has caused unimaginable pain for me, my husband, our sons Jordan and Jason, and Gary's friends.  He had everything to live for and we just can't believe that he has gone.”

She continues: “Although nothing can ever make up for what we have gone through, we are relieved that the man who killed our son has been banned from driving.

“We can only hope that no other family has to experience the hell we have gone through since Gary's death.”