The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Tim Osborn.
The father of hit-and-run victim Tim Osborn is “gutted” after hearing the driver is to appeal against the length of his sentence.
Paul Walken (42), of Chapel Lane, Folkingham, was sent to prison for eight years and banned from driving for ten earlier this year after admitting causing 27-year-old Tim’s death by careless driving while unfit through drink.
Tim was hit by Walken, who was travelling at 70mph in a 50mph zone, having drunk about five and a half pints earlier that day.
He left the scene of the accident in Bourne Road, Spalding, only contacting police following an appeal. He told Lincoln Crown Crown that he believed he had hit a deer.
Tim’s dad Stephen, of Pode Hole, welcomed the sentence, saying although it was not long enough for taking his son’s life, it was more than the family had been expecting.
But on Friday Stephen and his wife Lynne were informed that Walken is to appeal against the length of the sentence, leaving them “back at square one” in the grieving process for their son.
Stephen said: “We are totally gutted that he is going to appeal.
“The sentence was never going to be enough for taking Stephen from us but in legal terms it was quite severe.
“It is possible that the sentence could be cut in half. That is not fair, as we can’t appeal our life sentence or get parole from losing Tim. We have to live with it forever.
“I can’t say we were getting over the loss, but we were starting to move on and this has just taken us back to square one. In fact I think it’s even worse. I feel like retreating into a box and giving up.”
The family do not yet know when the appeal will be heard.
Although Stephen believes he will not get the opportunity to put forward their view to the appeal judge he hopes to be at the court to hear the appeal should it go ahead.
Tim died after being knocked off his bike by Walken as he cycled home from work at Morrisons in Pinchbeck just after 9pm on September 14, 2012.
His body was discovered in a roadside ditch at about midnight by Lynne after she set out to search for him when he failed to return home.
