Family are outraged at driver's lenient sentence

HARRY LOCK, 24, WILL SPEND JUST 18 MONTHS IN PRISON

- PAUL GREAVES

THE devastated family of a woman who was tragically killed by a Plymouth driver who was under the influence of laughing gas and ignoring a red light are contemplating an appeal against what they say is an unjustly lenient sentence.

Harry Lock's vehicle struck and fatally wounded mother-of-three Maria Perez-Gonzalez as she crossed Western Way in Exeter.

Lock, 24, from Shortwood Crescent, Plymouth, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and received a prison sentence of three years and four months, along with a two-year driving ban.

Edgar, Maria's eldest son, expressed his despair and anger upon hearing the verdict.

"I was speechless," he confessed. "When I heard that he would only serve one year and six months in jail, with the remainder on probation, I felt a surge of rage, anger and helplessness."

He compared these emotions to those he experienced when his mother was struck by Lock on August 7, 2021.

Lock had been inhaling nitrous oxide while driving through a red light, hitting Maria as she crossed Western Way on her bicycle.

Despite pleas from his passenger to stop using the substance, Lock continued, the court was told. Maria, a 53 year old healthcare assistant from Exeter, sadly died in hospital from her injuries two days later.

Edgar said: "I had prepared myself mentally and emotionally for the outcome of the case.