The wife of a motorcyclist killed by a drunk van driver fought back tears as in court as she revealed how her "whole world just stopped" when she was told the terrible news of his death. Claire Osborne spoke as driver, Julieanne Walsh, was sentenced to five years for causing death by careless driving when she was over the drink drive limit.
Mrs Osborne had known her husband, Mark Osborne, 48, since they were 14 years old. At 21 years old, they married.
On the night of the tragedy, a drunk Walsh drove over the white lines on a gentle bend and clipped part of Mr Osborne's bike with her wing mirror at Burntstump Hill. He lost control and was thrown from the bike into a traffic post and died at the scene.
Moments before he had pulled over in a lay-by and spoken to his wife on the phone before setting off again on his journey on a clear, bright evening on July 25, 2021. "As far as she was concerned, all seemed normal. He was in good spirits," said Wayne Cleaver, prosecuting at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, June 14.
READ MORE: Drunk Nottinghamshire carer caused motorcyclist's death in crash after downing pints and shots
Mrs Osborne, who had her family with her in court as Walsh was jailed , said her husband had taken his bike out. When he stopped, they chatted for ten minutes. Later, there was a knock on her door and police were there and they revealed her husband had passed away.
"My world just stopped," she said. The following Christmas was hard as it had always been a "special family time".
Son Joshua Osborne also fought back tears as he said he did not have words for the pain the accident had caused. His father was his best friend and he was, "robbed of a future and a long happy life that he deserves".
His daughter's statement was read out to the court, where Walsh, 32, of Abbott Road, Mansfield, hung her head nearby in the dock crying. Miss Osborne said: "I will never forget the phone call my mum made to me that night; 'Deanna, your dad has died, followed by the pained cry of my brother in the background'".
Her dad, who would have been 50 this year, was a kind, funny, caring man, who enjoyed his life, she had said.
Walsh, a care worker, who had a heavy drinking session at a pub in St Ann's before driving, was banned from the roads for five-and-a-half years. James Horne, who represented her, said: "She will forever regret her behaviour on July 25".
Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham, said Walsh would serve half her sentence and the remainder on licence. He said lives had been shattered at what was, "ultimately a selfish, stupid act".
Following the sentencing, Mr Osborne's family said in a joint statement: “Almost a year ago, our lives were ruined by a careless and selfish act that took away a husband, a friend, a son, a brother and a dad. Mark was a kind, funny and caring man who enjoyed life and lit up so many people’s worlds. He loved to cook, go the cinema and spend time with his family – all things taken away from him and us.
“It is simply impossible to describe the pain that has been caused. He was the most loving man we ever knew. Such was his caring nature, he raised a lot of money for children’s charities and often donated toys to sick children".
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