2012-08-19 Rider Down/Fatality, A19 (North Yorkshire)

Driver spared jail

  June 21 (Press Association) -- A driver who killed one of 

England's top veteran cyclists when he ploughed into him during
a road race has been spared jail after a court heard how his
brief lapse of concentration led to a devastating accident that
"could have happened to anybody".

  Leonard Grayson, 75, died instantly when he was hit 

during a 100-mile time trial along the A19 near Thirsk, North
Yorkshire.

  Peter Barraclough admitted causing his death by careless 

driving after he took his eyes off the road for a matter of
seconds when a lorry on the opposite carriageway caught his
attention.

  The judge decided not to jail Barraclough immediately, but gave 

him a five-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and
ordered him to do 250 hours of unpaid work.

  He also banned him from driving for 18 months.