DPP won't appeal death driver sentence

NO APPEAL: The DPP won't appeal the sentence which saw Christopher Ryan Caddick, convicted over a fatal accident while driving unlicensed, walk away without jail. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

PROSECUTORS won't appeal against the sentence of a man who has avoided jail despite killing an 81-year-old wheelchair-bound woman while driving unlicensed and with alcohol in his system.

Christopher Ryan Caddick, whose P-plate licence was suspended, was convicted of causing the death of wheelchair-bound Joan Woodcock, 81, when his Holden Commodore careered into the back of a Mercedes van last March at Ocean Reef in Perth.

Mrs Woodcock, a passenger in the van driven by her husband, was thrown through its side window onto the road.
WA's District Court heard Caddick, 24, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.036 at the time - over the limit for a probationary driver - and had five previous convictions for drink-driving.

But despite his record and the fact he was driving on a suspended licence at the time, Judge Ronald Birmingham imposed a suspended jail term.

WA's Department of Public Prosecutions today confirmed they had decided not to appeal against the sentence because there was not a high prospect of winning an appeal.

The trial last year heard Caddick had drunk two cans of pre-mixed vodka before attempting to overtake three vehicles on Ocean Reef Road north of Perth, colliding with Mrs Woodcock's vehicle on the wrong side of the road as it tried to turn right at an intersection.

While Caddick was not speeding, and the alcohol in his system was not said to have been a contributory factor in the crash, the jury still found his dangerous driving caused Mrs Woodcock's death.

Caddick was not entitled to drive at the time because of non-payment of fines and had admitted to a drink-driving offence two months earlier.

Following the sentencing last month, Mrs Woodcock's daughter Joanne said the family was still trying to make sense of the sentence.

``She got a death sentence and he got a suspended one,'' Ms Woodcock said.

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Watch: Bus driver rams bad drivers

Alexei Volkov is the bus driver from Russia who admits to have accumulated over 100 traffic accidents with other drivers who cut him off

HIS name is Alexei Volkov. He is a bus driver from Zelenograd. And he's as mad as hell, especially with drivers who cut him off on the roads.

So, he's taken the law into his own hands. And, as a result, he's become a folk hero in Russia.

He is known as "the Punisher" after the ruthless comic vigilante who dispenses brutal justice.

Volkov has been in more than 100 traffic accidents, though "accidents" may be a misnomer.

This Lada cuts right in front of Alexei Volkov's bus, as caught by his dashcam. Picture: Alexei Volkov, via YouTube

He's caused most of them with his in your face - or in your rear-end - driving style.

If someone cuts him off, Volkov just smashes into them.

To ram home his point, he then posts the dashcam video of his exploits online.

Wham! Volkov runs his bus right into the car's rear-end. Picture: Alexei Volkov, via YouTube

His YouTube channel has had hundreds of thousands of hits - and we mean hits.

In an inteview, Volkov boasted that the courts have taken his side in any case that's gone that far.

Most people seem to sympathise with him.

The angry driver hops out to confront Volkov, but so far, he's had the law on his side. Picture: Alexei Volkov, via YouTube

As he told one Russian news site: "Take my latest accident. What could I do? Swerve to the left in the oncoming traffic or suddenly brake and maybe injure the passengers?

"In both cases my licence would be revoked and I’d have some serious problems. While the happy bastard would just leave the scene.

"I am not interested in such outcome. The cops just grin. As for the colleagues – I haven’t asked what they thought."

This SUV driver wasnone too pleased when Volkov's bus slammed into him after he cut in front of the bus driver. Picture: Alexei Volkov, via YouTube

He started recording the smashes in 2007 to defend himself from insurance scam drivers, who sharply cut in and brake in front of other vehicles to cause a smash and then make fraudulent claims.

The Youtube videos show Trabants, Ladas, a van and even an expensive 4x4 fall foul of The Punisher's wrath after swerving in front of him. The footage also shows incredulous drivers getting out of their cars to confront him after the shunts.

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