DRUGGIE'S SENTENCE 'TOO SOFT' SAYS VICTIM'S WIFE

A WIFE was horrified when a man, who ran over her husband while high
on drugs, walked free from court.

Cyclist Alasdair Clough was left with a broken neck and brain
injuries after being hit by Philip Lindop on the A21 in January last year.

The father-of-two, 46, spent four days in intensive care and has not
been able to work since.

Mr Clough's wife Amanda said she thought Lindop's suspended sentence
was unduly lenient. "I am very disappointed he didn't get a custodial
sentence. He left my husband in the road with a broken neck and
showed no remorse.

"I am comforted by the fact that, with a criminal history, it won't
be long before he finds himself inside."

Lindop, 44, of Quebec Road, St Leonards, has a long history of
criminal behaviour. He has been convicted 21 times for 60 previous offences.

On Tuesday, Lewes Crown Court heard he had struggled with heroin
addiction for 20 years and that drugs are the cause of his offending.

A witness recalled seeing a car travelling in the same direction as
Mr Clough, who was on his bike and wearing high-visibility clothing.
Lindop was driving at 20-30mph and 'swerving across the road'.

Marcus Fletcher, prosecuting, said: "Lindop sprayed his windscreen
wipers and was momentarily blinded by dirty water. He collided with
Mr Clough at that point.

"Mr Clough went through the windscreen before flying into the air
with his legs higher than his head."

He was left with 'terribly serious injuries' and taken to the
Conquest Hospital.

Lindop was said to show no remorse at the scene and later admitted to
police he had been high on drugs.

Defending, Rebecca Hobson said Lindop was 'utterly ashamed' of the
way he had conducted himself and 'terribly distressed' when he
learned of Mr Clough's injuries.

She said: "He feels shame and remorse and takes full responsibility
for his offending behaviour. He has a long standing drugs problem
that has been at the root of his offending."

Lindop was given a 12-month suspended sentence, with a one year drug
rehabilitation requirement and three year supervision order.

If he re-offends or fails to comply with the terms of the orders in
the next 24 months he will go to prison for a year.

Judge Niblett said: "If given a custodial sentence he would be out
within six months with no supervision requirements. For the safety of
the public I have imposed a stringent community sentence."