Driver who was “swigging from a can of lager”, killed pillion jailed

**Bob** · 1st November 2007, 01:32

A driver who crashed into a motorbike while swigging from a can of lager, killing the pillion, has been jailed for seven years.

James Ward Douglas, 21, from Carmarthen, was reported as drinking all night and had taken Ecstasy when he drove into Mark and Karen Boulcott. Karen was killed and Mark now has to use a wheelchair.

Mr Boulcott spent more than two months in hospital, suffering fractures to his pelvis, leg and arm. He may have to undergo joint replacements if he is to ever walk unaided, the court was told.

Judge John Diehl said "It has been said so many times in these really tragic cases that no sentence can ever serve to ease the hurt and the grief of those who mourn and those who continue to suffer," he said.

Douglas was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

**Bren** · 1st November 2007, 04:27

stoopid bastard

**BMW** · 1st November 2007, 05:44

hope he did not spill it!

be really why do people do it?!

**Grahameeboy** · 1st November 2007, 05:51

I reported a driver swigging from a liquor bottle and they got him.......mind you when I was talking to the 111 Operator she asked me whether he was speeding....I said "No" and then she asked me whether he was driving dangerously!!....serious

**Edbear** · 1st November 2007, 07:07

Should be mandatory manslaughter for this type of tragedy!

**WRT** · 1st November 2007, 09:16

Originally Posted by Bob

Douglas was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended driving test before getting his licence back.

So, for five of the seven years he will be in jail, he wont be allowed to drive?

**Bullitt** · 1st November 2007, 16:30

Originally Posted by Bob

Driver who was “swigging from a can of lager”, killed .......pillion jailed

/\Thats the way I read that....must have been thinking too much today

**jonbuoy** · 1st November 2007, 18:03

7 measly years WTF? He should never be allowed to drive again.

**Bob** · 1st November 2007, 21:02

Originally Posted by Bullitt

/\Thats the way I read that....must have been thinking too much today

Hmmm... think I missed out a comma there.

**Storm** · 1st November 2007, 21:46

Nice. There you have it folks- someones life is worth seven years. And they say theres things you cant put a price on

**fireball** · 1st November 2007, 21:50

seven years......

a life is worth much more than that, no doubt he will re offend and kill another innocent person

(bet he would have got more years in jail if it was a kid that was killed)

**ambler** · 2nd November 2007, 00:22

Originally Posted by fireball

seven years......

a life is worth much more than that,

and lets not forget the other life he ruined eh
imagine... you've lost your wife and you cant walk either

I wonder if drunk driving would decrease if the sentence, instead of being years in jail, was to examine the injuries of the victim and replicate them on the offender.

**slowpoke** · 2nd November 2007, 04:24

OK, this is going to be nasty but here we go....
I know absolutely nothing about this case but everyone seems to up in arms over the drinking rather than the Eccy he had scoffed. That being the case, was he actually over the blood alcohol limit? If not, what is the difference between drinking from a can of Lager and drinking from a can of Fanta while driving? Who on here hasn't done that?
Just something to think about.....

**jonbuoy** · 2nd November 2007, 07:30

Originally Posted by slowpoke

OK, this is going to be nasty but here we go....
I know absolutely nothing about this case but everyone seems to up in arms over the drinking rather than the Eccy he had scoffed. That being the case, was he actually over the blood alcohol limit? If not, what is the difference between drinking from a can of Lager and drinking from a can of Fanta while driving? Who on here hasn't done that?
Just something to think about.....

Unless he was drinking lemonade "all night" I'd say he was over the limit and on E, drinking or eating anything while driving is careless/dangerous driving in the UK. Drinking beer from a can while driving is just taking the piss.