Van driver who had taken cocaine jailed for causing Gaddesby road death

Jamie Tarbert, of Glenfield, will serve a four-and-a-half-year sentence after admitting a charge of causing death by driving without due care and attention at a hearing yesterday (Monday) at Leicester Crown Court.

He was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van on Rearsby Road on the morning of July 22 last year when he collided with a Skoda Yeti, being driven by Richard Nicholls. Both vehicles left the carriageway as a result of the impact.

Mr Nicholls, who was 34, was flown to the University Hospital in Coventry but sadly died on July 26 as a result of his injuries.

Tarbert only suffered minor injuries and, when police attended the scene, he was subject to a drug wipe, which identified cocaine in his system.

He later provided two samples of blood which confirmed he was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the collision.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Tarbert was banned from driving for five years and must sit an extended re-test on completion.

Det Sgt Paul Hawkins, from Leicestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) was the senior investigating officer.

He said: “I am pleased Tarbert admitted his actions, meaning Mr Nicholls’s family did not have to live through his final moments by way of a crown court trial.

“My condolences very much remain with them at this time.

“While no prison sentence will bring him back, I hope they feel that justice has been done in this case and the outcome will provide a degree of closure for them.”