Disgust over killer driver's sentence

11:28am Tuesday 27th May 2008

Comments (5)   Have your say »

FAMILY and friends of a young mum killed by a drink driver have spoken of their disgust after he was handed a four-year jail sentence.

Mum-of-two Cheryl McGoldrick, 26, was out with friends on January 25 when she was hit by Paul Clements' VW Golf in Beckenham High Street.

Clements was found to be driving at 53mph on the 30mph road and was more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Speaking after the sentencing, Cheryl's mum Maxine McGoldrick said: "Of course we are upset about this disgusting decision.

"We are just so angry because he deserved a much longer jail term for killing my daughter.

"He got that while we have got a life sentence."

Cheryl's younger sister Danielle, who lives with her mum in Kings Hall Road, Beckenham, is disappointed Clements was not given a jail sentence of at least 10 years.

The 22-year-old said: "I was hoping for at least double figures because we want to get justice for Cheryl.

"Is this sentence all her life was worth? I was hoping this would provide some closure but it hasn't at all."

Before announcing the four-year sentence at Croydon Crown Court last Thursday, Judge Warwick McKinnon told Clements: "You literally mowed her down. You must have known you were unfit to drive.

"This was utter criminal culpability."

Insurance agent Clements, of Perth Road, Beckenham, had pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving.

His car hit Mrs McGoldrick, of Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham, as she crossed Beckenham High Street outside the Box Bar.

Mrs McGoldrick suffered multiple injuries and died two hours later at King's College Hospital, Camberwell.

She leaves behind partner Tom Payne and their sons Thomas, four, and three-year-old Freddy.

Mrs McGoldrick was crossing the road with sisters Amanda and Stephanie Barnett when she was killed.

Stephanie, 32, said: "When we crossed nothing was coming but then a car just came out of nowhere. I thought it was going to go into all three of us.

"When Cheryl got hit it was just complete shock. One minute she was there and the next she was gone."

Clements, aged 28, was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended test before being allowed to drive again.

Many of the McGoldrick family were in court for the sentencing and some shouted their disgust at the decision before being thrown out by security guards.

Danielle McGoldrick was one of those in court and defended her family's actions.

She said: "My sister was such a caring person and the perfect older sister.

"Whenever any of us had a problem, we would always go to Cheryl.

"It has been very difficult since she died and everyone is just devastated by this."

She added: "Cheryl would have been celebrating her birthday next month and her partner had to celebrate their 10th anniversary alone.

"Her two sons are going to have to grow up without her. It is a complete tragedy."