Road rage driver jailed for John Radford's death

By Tony Upfold
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Justice has finally been served 30 months after the incident which eventually claimed John Radford's life
Michael Gledhill has been jailed for four years and eight months and disqualified from driving for four years for causing the death of former CTC Councillor John Radford by dangerous driving – a sentence that comes 30 months after the road rage incident that claimed the cyclist’s life.

In a statement following Gledhill’s sentencing at Leeds Crown Court today (Tuesday 12 January), John’s daughters said their father would still be alive today if the convicted man “hadn’t used his car as a weapon”.

John was knocked off his bike on 31 July 2013 and spent 15 months in a coma before passing away at the age of 70.

Gledhill was originally convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the incident on the A616 Huddersfield Road at New Mill, West Yorkshire. But before the former soldier could be sentenced, John died on 5 November 2014 – and the Crown Prosecution Service decided to amend the charge to causing death by dangerous driving.

Gledhill, 24, of Holmfirth, eventually pleaded guilty on 12 November last year and was finally sentenced today, with Judge Christopher Batty telling him that the Radford family’s lives “were turned upside down by your moment of rage”.

We hope that today’s result will remind all drivers that road rage and impatience can end in death."

John Radford's daughters Emma Boyes and Helen Gorman

John’s daughters Emma Boyes and Helen Gorman released a statement on behalf of the family.

It read: “If Michael Gledhill hadn’t used his car as a weapon on 31 July 2013, our dad would still be alive.

“Dad’s death was unnecessary and today’s outcome doesn’t change anything for us as a family. As a family we had to watch Dad struggle and suffer on a journey that ended with the worst possible outcome.

“Eventually Mr Gledhill will return to his family and resume a normal family life. Sadly, we will never get our Dad back and are only left with memories of a loving dad, granddad, husband and brother.

“We hope that today’s result will remind all drivers that road rage and impatience can end in death.

“We would like to thank the police for all their hard work, especially Paul Morrison, our family liaison officer, all Dad’s friends and fellow cyclists, including CTC and its lawyers.

“The support from our friends and family over the last two-and-a-half years has given us the strength to continue, thank you.”

John was an extremely active, valued and popular member of CTC. He was CTC Councillor for Yorkshire and the Humber and Chair of Huddersfield and District CTC.

Throughout their long ordeal, John’s widow Pat and the rest of the family have been keen that as much publicity as possible is sought to highlight Road Justice issues.

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