Lorry driver jailed after A420 crash killed milkman

Barry Archer, 44, faced trial in May after a head-on collision between the lorry driver and milkman Tom Glancy on the A420 led to Mr Glancy's death. It's taken five years for Archer to be sentenced, after the crash which took place in July 2020. Milkman Tom Glancy, who was 64 when he died, has been described as a 'pillar of strength' in the community.

Archer has now been jailed for six years for causing death by dangerous driving, in a sentencing held on Thursday, August 7, at Oxford Crown Court. The trial heard how Archer had been driving a white Mercedes lorry along the A420 towards Oxford when he crossed the double white lines fully onto the wrong side of the A420 and collided head-on with Mr Glancy's milk float in July 2020. Tom Glancy (right) died at the scene (Image: Newsquest/Family Handout) The milk float was forced backwards along the road and came to a stop some distance from the point of impact, before catching fire.

Mr Glancy died on the scene. Brenda Glancy, Tom's wife, said: "On July 16 2020, police rang my doorbell and told me Tom had died. "I will never forget that moment, my world ended.

The coroner said he died instantly, at least he didn't suffer. "I lost all confidence, I couldn't remember things I was told. I was suffering from PTSD.

"I had been with Tom all my life. We had been married for 41 years and we planned to retire in 2022. "Now I'm retired without my life partner.

I have waited four years and 10 months for justice. "Whatever sentence the defendant receives will not be enough. I have a life sentence without Tom."

Archer will face six years in jail (Image: Thames Valley Police) Philip Glancy, his son, described the death as a "senseless and avoidable loss," adding: "He was the head of my family, a pillar of strength. A solid rock I could depend on." Archer, of Claygate, near Esher in Surrey, has expressed remorse for his actions and apologised to the family.

David Langwallner, mitigating, said: "Mr Archer has also suffered. His medical health has rendered him virtually disabled. "This has been a very disturbing case.

Nobody is going to win. Everybody feels a sense of tragedy." Investigating officer Detective Constable Belinda Simpson, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with Tom Glancy's wife Brenda, his four children and his extended family.

"They have had to wait far too long for justice to be served, following Barry Archer's not guilty plea in July 2023. Recommended reading: "Tom was a much-loved milkman in the local area, and he was proud to be an essential key worker during Covid.

"Although we may never know the exact cause of the collision, be that sleep, distraction or inattention, as a professional driver, Archer should never have been on the wrong side of the road for such an extended period. "We will continue to robustly investigate the causes of fatal road traffic[1] collisions as we work towards reducing the number of collisions and casualties on our roads." Archer, who has been jailed for six years, is now also banned from driving for eight years and must pay a victim surcharge of GBP190.

Judge Maria Lamb added: "There is no doubt that the length of time these proceedings have taken has been a source of trauma. "The misery of the whole situation has been prolonged.

"What is clear is that Thomas Glancy was a blameless victim.

"He was an unsung hero.

No sentence this court can impose can heal the enormity of the loss you (Mr Glancy's family) have suffered."

References

1. ^ traffic (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)