Widow’s shock at conviction of man who caused death of husband in Collier Row

�The widow of a man who died in 2007 after being hit by a motorcyclist in Collier Row, has told the Recorder of her shock at learning that the man who caused his death has been jailed for another motoring offence.

Grandfather James Court, 70, was hit by David Hatton’s motorbike as he crossed Clockhouse Lane.

Wife Jean was in a nearby community centre and heard the bang. When she came outside she saw her husband lying on the ground.

David Hatton, then 27, now of Collier Row Road, pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and having no insurance, and was sentenced at Southend Crown Court on January 13, 2009 to three-and-a- half years in prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years, and told he would have to pass an extended re-test.

But Jean, 73, of Harrow Crescent, Harold Hill, recently learnt through Victim Support that Hatton was let out of prison after serving only part of his sentence, and was arrested again in November for driving while disqualified.

‘It’s a joke’

She said: “I think it’s disgusting. It’s just a joke. They should never have let him out early, he should have served his whole sentence.

“He really should finish his original sentence and get another four years as it obviously didn’t stop him doing the same thing again.”

Jean, who has six children, eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, added: “It all comes back when you hear about it. My husband died and we’re trying to get on with our lives, and then we find out he’s going round driving again like nothing happened.

“Where’s the law? I’d like to thank the police for catching him, but 18 weeks? They ought to throw the keys away.”

Hatton was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison at Redbridge Magistrates’ Court on November 4 after being arrested on November 3. He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.