A lorry driver who killed a young workmate was told on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, that he was lucky to be leaving court by the front door.
Shane Rouse, 48, was given a suspended sentence for killing 20-year-old Harry Frost by careless driving in Bedford.
Harry, from Silsoe, was in a blind spot, having just got out of the cab in Ford End Road in Bedford when Shane Rouse drove off without checking where he was.
Rouse, a volunteer paramedic, went to Harry’s aid but the talented young magician, who was a member of the Magic Circle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Rouse, of Windmill Lane, Raunds, Northants., appeared for sentence at St Albans Crown Court, having been convicted by a jury of causing the death of Harry by careless driving at around 2.30 in the afternoon of Friday, July 17, 2020.
Prosecutor Victoria Gainza said: “The defendant was carrying out an inherently unsafe manoeuvre. The risk must have been obvious. Mr Frost was in a blind spot on the nearside.
The defendant had his head in his hands as Harry’s mum Paula Frost told the court: “Our lives as a family were shattered into a million pieces.
“Harry was caring, generous, hard-working and always full of laughter.
“He was a brilliant magician and overjoyed when he joined the Magic Circle.”
His brother Michael read a victim personal statement in which he said: “Harry was everything a brother should be.”
He said Harry, who volunteered at the Keech Hospice in Luton, had his life “snatched far too soon by something that was easily avoidable.”
Defending, Matthew Bolt said: “Mr Rouse desperately wishes this had not happened. He grieves for Harry’s loss as well. He sent a wreath to the funeral and wants to say sorry to the family.”
He said Rouse was of previous good character who cares for a disabled wife. He said there had been a delay of 14 months before charges were brought in the case.
Mr Bolt went on: “He had been a theatre nurse in the NHS for a number of years and was a trained volunteer paramedic. (When it happened) he immediately sprang into that role and was the first to treat Mr Frost at the scene.”
Rouse had also been involved in setting up the Guardians Charity in Northampton that supports vulnerable revellers on Friday and Saturday nights.
It was formed following the murder of India Chipchase in the town on a night out.
Judge Richard Foster told him: “You heard the victim personal statements read out so bravely. I saw you with your head bowed. The greatest punishment for you is knowing for the rest of your life that you were responsible in part for Harry Frost’s death.
“He had just got out of the cab. You knew it had a blind spot. Without checking to see where he was, you drove off.”
The judge went on: “I accept you are clearly remorseful and have insight into what you did. You have a caring responsibility and are of impeccable good character. You gave help at the scene and carry out charity work. By all accounts your are a thoroughly decent hard-working man.”
He passed an 18 month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.
He must carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and was banned from driving for 12 months.
The judge told him: “Think yourself very lucky your are leaving by the front door and not the prison van.”
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