Paul Vines: Man Who Killed His Own Son In High-Speed Crash Spared Jail
A father who caused the death of his own 12-year-old son in a car crash in Lincolnshire has avoided a prison sentence but was told by the judge he will "have to live with that each day when you see your wife and your children."
12-year-old Edward Vines, known as Ted, was being driven to a football match by his father, Paul Vines, when their Ford Galaxy car crashed into another vehicle near Bardney on January 16 last year.
Ted suffered a serious head injury and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene after their vehicle ended up in a ditch.
Paul Vines was handed a two-year suspended jail sentence at Lincoln Crown Court today.
A passenger in the other car, Victoria Frost, suffered "life-changing injuries" to her spine and ankle in the smash.
Vines pleaded guilty to causing his son's death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Mrs Frost.
Lincoln Crown Court was told how Paul Vines, a lorry driver, from Hamilton Road, Alford, would "never be able to forgive himself" after losing control of his vehicle while driving at high-speed and colliding with the Mercedes Benz.
Judge Simon Hirst addressed Vines while passing sentence, he said: "Teddy was your son. You will have to live with that each day when you see your wife and your children."
He added that Vines "wouldn't be walking out of this court today" if it was not for an emotional plea by Ted's mother and Mrs Frost's "incredibly gracious position and generous view".
Stuart Lody, prosecuting, told the court how Vines had been driving in excess of the 60mph speed limit when he crashed and had ignored road warning signs showing the road surface was uneven.
Ted's mother, Sarah Vines, made an emotional statement in court, she said: "Nobody and no-one will ever be able to hurt me more than the death of my darling Teddy other than to watch what my beautiful three children are going through."
Mrs Vines urged the judge not to imprison her husband, she said he was a fantastic father and a "very hands-on dad".
She added: "I too have seen Paul suffer as a result of this tragic accident and absolutely know he is truly sorry for what happened."
Mrs Frost also told the court how she "did not want" the 47-year-old father to go to prison and said "there is no hate towards him".
Since the fatal accident, Lincolnshire County Council has reduced the speed limit for the road from 60mph to 40mph.
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