Scum van driver who drank eight double vodkas and hit pregnantcyclist named and shamed

What a piece of scum this driver is.
QUOTE:
A hit-and-run driver had downed eight double vodkas in a pub shortly before he crashed his van into a heavily pregnant cyclist - causing devastating injuries which led to the loss of her unborn child.

Gary Marston is thought to have been using his mobile phone and travelling at an estimated speed of 54mph when he struck the rider from behind in Aylestone Road, Aylestone, Leicester in December last year.

The woman, who was riding in the dedicated cycle lane at the time, was in the latter stages of her pregnancy when the tragedy occurred, a court heard today.

Marston drove on and left her lying helpless and seriously injured in the road.

She was taken to hospital and, two days later on Wednesday, December 4, Leicestershire Police confirmed she had lost the baby.

Marston, 41, appeared at the city's magistrates' court to plead guilty to two offences - dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

A number of other charges were withdrawn at the beginning of the hearing by the Crown Prosecution Service, (CPS).

Prosecutor Hitesh Keshvala told the court: "Prior to the collision the defendant was in a pub, where he drank eight double vodka drinks mixed with coke.

“He left the pub at approximately 9.15pm."

Meanwhile, the victim was riding in a section of cycle lane in Aylestone Road, near its junction with Park Hill Drive.

Mr Keshvala said: “At 9.30pm, there was a collision whereby the defendant struck the rear of the cycle.

“The victim can’t remember anything following the collision..
Gary Marston hit the heavily pregnant cyclist in Aylestone Road, near its junction with Park Hill Drive.

“There has been a collision investigator’s report and what that has found is that, in addition to pub footage where the defendant can be seen drinking, his vehicle was travelling at approximately 46mph in a 30mph zone.

"At the point of impact or shortly after, he was travelling at 54mph.

“The cycle lane was lit and visible. It is a case of the defendant having driven into her.

“There is CCTV footage showing the defendant swerving after the collision and away from the scene."

Marston, of Nevanthon Road, Western Park, Leicester, was tracked down and arrested by Leicestershire Police, Mr Keshvala said.

Analysis of his phone indicated it had been in use at the time of the collision.

Mr Keshvala added: “The cyclist lost her full-term unborn baby as a result of the collision.

“She was in hospital on a ventilator for around two weeks."

The CPS formally applied for the case to be sentenced by a judge in the crown court because magistrates' sentencing powers were 'insufficient' given the gravity of Matston's crimes, Mr Keshvala said.

The bench agreed and the defendant will be sentenced by a judge at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, November 6.

Marston’s legal representative Paul Prior made no representations to the court and the defendant was released on unconditional bail.

Magistrates imposed an interim driving disqualification on him.

The court also made an order to protect the victim's identity.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/n...-eight-4522613

On 17/09/2020 19:06, Simon Mason wrote:
What a piece of scum this driver is.
QUOTE:
A hit-and-run driver had downed eight double vodkas in a pub shortly before he crashed his van into a heavily pregnant cyclist - causing devastating injuries which led to the loss of her unborn child.

Gary Marston is thought to have been using his mobile phone and travelling at an estimated speed of 54mph when he struck the rider from behind in Aylestone Road, Aylestone, Leicester in December last year.

The woman, who was riding in the dedicated cycle lane at the time, was in the latter stages of her pregnancy when the tragedy occurred, a court heard today.

Marston drove on and left her lying helpless and seriously injured in the road.

She was taken to hospital and, two days later on Wednesday, December 4, Leicestershire Police confirmed she had lost the baby.

Marston, 41, appeared at the city's magistrates' court to plead guilty to two offences - dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

A number of other charges were withdrawn at the beginning of the hearing by the Crown Prosecution Service, (CPS).

Prosecutor Hitesh Keshvala told the court: "Prior to the collision the defendant was in a pub, where he drank eight double vodka drinks mixed with coke.

“He left the pub at approximately 9.15pm."

Meanwhile, the victim was riding in a section of cycle lane in Aylestone Road, near its junction with Park Hill Drive.

Mr Keshvala said: “At 9.30pm, there was a collision whereby the defendant struck the rear of the cycle.

“The victim can’t remember anything following the collision.
Gary Marston hit the heavily pregnant cyclist in Aylestone Road, near its junction with Park Hill Drive.

“There has been a collision investigator’s report and what that has found is that, in addition to pub footage where the defendant can be seen drinking, his vehicle was travelling at approximately 46mph in a 30mph zone.

"At the point of impact or shortly after, he was travelling at 54mph.

“The cycle lane was lit and visible. It is a case of the defendant having driven into her.

“There is CCTV footage showing the defendant swerving after the collision and away from the scene."

Marston, of Nevanthon Road, Western Park, Leicester, was tracked down and arrested by Leicestershire Police, Mr Keshvala said.

Analysis of his phone indicated it had been in use at the time of the collision.

Mr Keshvala added: “The cyclist lost her full-term unborn baby as a result of the collision.

“She was in hospital on a ventilator for around two weeks."

The CPS formally applied for the case to be sentenced by a judge in the crown court because magistrates' sentencing powers were 'insufficient' given the gravity of Matston's crimes, Mr Keshvala said.

The bench agreed and the defendant will be sentenced by a judge at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, November 6.

Marston’s legal representative Paul Prior made no representations to the court and the defendant was released on unconditional bail.

Magistrates imposed an interim driving disqualification on him.

The court also made an order to protect the victim's identity.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/n...-eight-4522613

There's nothing out of the ordinary about a convicted drink-driver being
named in the press.