The father of a cyclist killed by a hit and run driver has said his sentence will never be enough for taking his son’s life.
Stephen Osborn was speaking after driver Paul Walken (42), of Chapel Lane, Folkingham, was sentenced to prison for eight years and banned from driving for ten after admitting causing Tim Osborn’s death by careless driving while unfit through drink.
Tim (27), of Bourne Road, Spalding, was killed as he cycled home from work at the Morrison’s store in Pinchbeck on September 14, 2012.
He was hit by Walken, who was travelling at 70mph in a 50mph zone, having drunk about five and a half pints earlier that day.
He left the scene of the accident, only contacting police following an appeal to say he believed he had hit a deer.
Tim’s mum Lynne found her son’s body in a ditch just yards from their home after going out to look for him when he didn’t arrive home.
Speaking today, Stephen said: “He whispered sorry to me in court, but it is too little, too late.
“We had been told to expect a prison sentence of three to five years, so eight years was more than we were expecting, but it’s still not enough for taking my son’s life.
“His wife was sitting in front of us in court and we did feel a bit sorry for her and her family because they are suffering too, but at the end of his sentence they can carry on with their lives with their children, which is something we will never be able to do.”
Stephen said the trial and yesterday’s sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court have been very hard for his family, leaving him emotionally drained, but he said he walked out of court “feeling a lot lighter”.
But he says they do not yet feel as they have total closure on the court proceedings as they wait to hear if Walken will appeal.
He said: “I’m not sure we will ever get closure, but we have got to come to terms with what has happened and that is going to take a lot of time.
“Until now we haven’t been able to think beyond the court case, so now we need to take some time and just be there for each other.”
During the hearing, the court heard that Walken was sorry for what he has done.
In his defence, Tom Walkling said: “He is absolutely heartbroken.
“The consequences of his actions will weigh on him for the rest of his life. It has affected him very badly.”
In sentencing him, Judge Stuart Rafferty told Walken: “It does not matter precisely how much you had to drink. All that matters is that it took you far beyond the limit. You should have known that and yet you continued to drive.
“Tim Osborn was entirely without fault. He was there for anyone to see who wanted to see him. You had every opportunity to see him but you did not.”
