Hit-and-run driver not given leave to appeal jail term

A hit-and-run driver who was jailed after killing a cyclist has been refused leave to appeal against the length of his sentence.

Paul Walken was sent to prison for eight years and banned from driving for ten after admitting causing Tim Osborn’s death by careless driving while unfit through drink.

Tim (27), of Bourne Road, Spalding, was killed as he cycled home from work at the Morrisons store in Pinchbeck on September 14, 2012.

He 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, only contacting police following an appeal to say he believed he had hit a deer.

Tim’s mum Lynne found her son’s body in a ditch just yards from their home after going out to look for him when he didn’t arrive home.

In July, Tim’s family said they were “gutted” after learning that Walken intended to appeal the length of his sentence, but this week said they were relieved to be told by their police family liaison officer that a judge had refused him leave to have his appeal heard.

Tim’s dad Stephen said: “Unfortunately we don’t know yet whether he will be able to appeal against that decision, but we are hoping not. We can only wait and see.

“We believe the length of his sentence will never be enough for what he did to Tim, but with the way the justice system works the sentence was better than we had expected.

“I have done some research and I think his sentence is pretty much in line with other sentences given by the same judge, so I don’t think it is excessive.”

More than two years since Tim’s death, Stephen said the family are doing “alright”, but he is still finding it difficult to cope with losing his son.

He said: “I finally broke down last week. It’s been a while coming. I’ve known it was coming but I wasn’t ready to accept it.

“I have been at rock bottom for a while and had been hoping to stave it off, but I lost the plot and am now on medication which seems to be settling me down.

“It is still very hard for me.”