A teacher who may have been darkened behind the wheel before causing a horror crash in which an older couple was killed on his way to a ecclesiastical Belringpraktijk was imprisoned.
David Peter Henderson, 45, caused an 'explosion' when he hit a car in front of Patricia Evans, 68 years old, whose husband Gareth, 70, was a front chair passenger.
De Smash happened after a series of risky maneuvers from Henderson for a few minutes, including catching up a line of traffic and speed about what the estimated eyewitnesses 80-90 mph was, a court heard.
The murderous driver, now in a wheelchair due to injuries during the crash in the twilight on February 13, 2023, is now starting a seven -year prison sentence and four months.
Mr and Mrs Evans, Van High Brigham, near Cockermouth, Cumbria – inseparable since the meeting at the University of Oxford and known to friends as 'Patngareth' – went to church at the time of the fatal crash.
Gareth had worked as an industrial chemist at Sellafield, while his wife taught mathematics.
They were long -term members of St. John's Church, Workington and integral with belinging, choirs and music groups.
In a moving impact statement, their son, independent musician Richard, made a direct address to Henderson during the hearing at the Preston Crown Court.
David Peter Henderson, 45, caused an 'explosion' when he hit a car in a car by Patricia Evans, 68 years old, whose husband Gareth, 70, was a front chair passenger (shown: Patricia and Gareth Evans)
Gareth and Patricia were long -term members of St. John's Church, Workington (photo) and integral in the Belring, Koren and Music Groups
He said: 'It is impossible to put the pain and heartache into words, and the devastating loss we suffered as a result of your selfish, thoughtless actions.
“They were the most friendly, generous, attentive, caring people. They did so much for us and gave so many to so many others, within their local communities and further away.
“Two beautiful, great souls had taken everything away and we couldn't even say goodbye.”
The court heard that the crash took place when Henderson was on the way home of work as a teacher in primary education in his Red Volkswagen Golf.
Just before the crash on the A66 near Workington, Cumbria, Henderson removed a Mazda in whose director remembered a radiant horn from the Golf, along with 'repetitive and aggressive' headlight flashes.
That driver believed that Henderson then tried to run him off the road before accelerating an estimated 80-90 MPH, the court heard.
The Mazda driver looked at the Golf and then made a slow steady movement straight, in the other side of the roadway
“He then saw an explosion within a few seconds,” said public prosecutor Kim Whittlestone this afternoon against Preston Crown Court (Mon).
In a moving impact statement, their son, independent musician Richard (photo), made a direct address to Henderson during the hearing of the conviction at Preston Crown Court
Gareth and Patricia's son Richard took off and left the Preston Crown Court on February 17
Henderson was apparently unconscious when he rode Frontal in the Blue Renault Clio of Mrs. Evans. Shocked spectators have chosen 999.
Data recovered from the vehicle -airbag of Henderson suggested that there was little to no input, in terms of steering wheel, accelerating or braking, through him in the five seconds prior to the impact.
The court heard that since 2013 Henderson had suffered a heart disease that caused Black -outs and possibly led to the crash.
It is crucial that Henderson later did not inform the DVLA in February 2022 of such a blackout; Also that a pacemaker was mounted and the advice of a doctor, in August of that year, that he would not have to drive until he was six months off.
During what a judge called 'Deceit and Lies', Henderson also wrongly told his chief teacher, at St Mary's school, Salterbeck, that his permit was returned when it was never surrendered.
Henderson, no longer a teacher, admitted two charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
A man of rather good character, Henderson, from Carlisle, was not a bad or thoughtless man, said his lawyer, Michael Hayton KC, but a 'bad thing' had done.
The conviction of Henderson, who was also not allowed to drive for 12 years, said judge Nicholas Barker that the death of Evans' was and is.
He said: 'Their loss is bitterly felt by their families. I know that this hearing, although it is coming to an end, will not offer continuous relief for them.
“They will be trapped in their tragedy and their sorrow will continue.”
Detective agent Tim Fowkes, Van Cumbria Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: 'Henderson's driving prior to the collision was reckless – and the action of the management of a motor vehicle, while knowingly had an unsolved medical problem, was in itself one Very dangerous act.
'Henderson's selfish actions resulted in the tragic loss of Patricia and Gareth Evans – a man and wife of 46 years old who just went to St Michael's Church, Workington to lead a team of Belingers.
“Our thoughts are very much with the family of the Lord and Mrs. Evans who have remained destroyed and deeply sad.”
