(Image: CONTRIBUTOR)
The mother of a man who died in a head-on crash says she feels "sickened to her stomach” after his speeding killer walked free from court.
Julie McDonald said she has been left "picking up the pieces” after teenage danger driver Jack Appleton was given a three-year suspended sentence for killing her son Andrew Robson.
The 54-year-old said Appleton, now 19, will “be in his cosy bed tonight while we are in here in excruciating pain” - saying she is “appalled” that he was given a "slap on the wrist".
Teesside Crown Court heard how he "entirely misjudged” the speed and distance between his Ford Fiesta and Andrew’s motorbike and crashed, ejecting Andrew from his bike.
While Judge Amanda Rippon branded the “dangerous” overtake a “serious mistake”, she noted how Appleton, who has autism, learning difficulties, and PTSD, had shown remorse.
Andrew Robson (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)
But Julie, from Wideopen, North Tyneside walked out of court on Thursday (October 15) when Judge Rippon handed Appleton a three-year sentence, suspended for three years.
It came after she fought through tears when reading out a gut-wrenching victim impact statement on how her son’s death has “crippled” her with nightmares and caused a breakdown.
‘My son’s life has meant nothing’
“It is hard to get my head around it,” Julie told The Northern Echo.
“I am appalled by the whole thing. For two years, all I have had is hope and trust. Hope that the judge will give us justice and trust in the police.
Andrew Robson and mum Julie McDonald (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)
“I just can’t understand it. They let him walk free - my son’s life has meant nothing.”
The court heard how Appleton, who pleaded guilty and has no previous convictions, had “clear, palpable remorse” and “heavily he bears the responsibility for it”.
However, mum-of-five Julie said she is yet to receive a formal apology.
“The judge said he was remorseful, but he had shown no remorse to us whatsoever,” she said.
“My whole family just wants an apology. We have never had a direct apology. Me and my family walked out of the courtroom.
“I was just absolutely astonished how a 17-year-old who has killed my son can walk away with a slap on the wrist.
Andrew Robson (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)
“He will be in his cosy bed tonight while we are in here in excruciating pain.”
Julie said Andrew’s four-year-old daughter Ayla has cried “for two years for her dad” and said she had been “robbed of her memories” of him.
She now intends to appeal the sentence, which has also seen Appleton, of Coach Lane in Hazlerigg, Newcaslte banned from driving for six years and told to complete 280 hours of unpaid work.
“I have had no justice, I have got nothing to show,” she said.
“They have got their son and I haven’t got mine. We have all carried this for two years. I just keep looking at his photos thinking, come on, we are going to get justice.
Andrew Robson (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)
“I feel totally let down. The family is sick to their stomach; we are sitting here left to pick the pieces up.”
The court heard how Andrew was in Murton with his friends for a car meet before the tragic crash occurred.
David Povall, prosecuting, said the road was “perfectly straight and visible” and that experts had concluded he was travelling at about 70mph during the overtake.
Judge Rippon said Appleton “got it wrong” and "entirely misjudged the distance and speed between him and Mr Robson" when overtaking.
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"I have not found this an easy decision," she said. "This was not an extended period of driving aggravated by multiple factors as is so often seen in these courts.
"The defendant was a young, inexperienced driver who made a very bad decision to drive and overtake when it was clearly dangerous to do so."
Julie wished to thank Durham Police, specifically Graham from the break team, and a friendship group called grief suicide in North Shields for their support.