Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Justice Almarie Sinclair Haynes yesterday spoke out against the total disregard which some motorists have for other road users when she sentenced a motorist to two years' imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving.

Corvel Cooper, 31, also called 'Bully', a sign artist of St. John's Road, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, was convicted last week by a Home Circuit Court jury.

Monique Hinds, 19, and Renicha Ashley, 29, cosmetologist, both of Washington Gardens, Kingston 20, were killed on September 19, 2003, when they were hit by a motor car driven by Cooper.

Lost control of vehicle

The Crown led evidence that on the day in question, Cooper was driving his motor car along Washington Boulevard. Upon reaching the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Weymouth Drive, he lost control of the vehicle.

The motor car skidded, mounted the sidewalk and hit the two women.

Defence lawyer Leroy Equiano pleaded with the judge not to impose a custodial sentence and called character witnesses who said that Cooper was a good citizen and had never been in trouble with the law before.

Equiano also referred to the social enquiry report in which residents in the community spoke highly of Cooper.

The judge said the maximum sentence for the offence was five years' imprisonment and she had no choicebut to impose a custodial sentence. The judge also said that Cooper exceeded the speed limit on a wet road.