Courts / Kildare / Report
"Out of his head" driver avoids increased sentence for causing death of friend
Summary
Keith Jackson Fleming, 26, of Glenshane, Kilteel, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for dangerous driving that caused the death of his friend Dara Cottuli on 28 November 2015. The final year of the sentence was suspended. Fleming also pleaded guilty to driving without a licence or insurance and to failing to provide a blood sample. He was found to have been under the influence of alcohol and drugs, including D10s and Xanax, at the time of the crash. The vehicle veered, struck a ditch, a timber fence and a stone pillar before crossing the road again. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, noting that the judge had considered the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances, and found no error in the decision to suspend the final year.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Out of his head" driver avoids increased sentence for causing death of friend. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Dara Cottuli at Old Milltown, Kill, in the county on November 28, 2015; driving without a license or insurance and failing to give a sample. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 9, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-07-31 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Dara Cottuli at Old Milltown, Kill, in the county on November 28, 2015; driving without a license or insurance and failing to give a sample (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to four years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Judge Michael O'Shea on March 9, 2017. There was no doubt that the sentence imposed was "lenient, indeed very lenient" but that did not provide a basis for the Court of Appeal to interfere.
Places mentioned
- Naas
- Naas Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Appeal
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