Driver who killed man gets suspended sentence

A driver who caused the death of a 74-year-old pedestrian in a crash in Bristol last year has received a suspended sentence.

Stuart Veck, 33, was driving a Peugeot 108 in Clifton on Saturday 21 December 2024 when he hit Paul Adams, who had been crossing the road, with his car.

Mr Adams was taken to hospital where he died during the early hours of Christmas Eve, police said.

Veck, of College Court, Fishponds, received an 18-week suspended prison sentence at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving at an earlier hearing.

He also received an 18-month driving disqualification and was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Emergency services had been called to the crash on Whiteladies Road shortly after 11:35 GMT on 21 December 2024.

CCTV showed Veck's car was stationary before he turned right from Whiteladies Road into Alma Road and crashed into Mr Adams.

Veck stopped immediately after the crash and during a police interview stated he had not seen him crossing the road.

Mr Adams' family had said in tribute after his death he would be "sorely missed".

They said he had lived in the Westbury-on-Trym area his entire life and had worked at Rolls Royce and Royal Mail before his retirement.

Collison investigator Dai Nicholas, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Adams.

"A specially trained officer has continued to provide them with support throughout our investigation.

"Stuart Veck admitted responsibility for what happened during the police interview and has today been sentenced accordingly.

"This tragic case hopefully serves as a reminder to all road users that even in traffic at low speed, just a moment's lapse in concentration can have devastating consequences."

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