Swindon driver who killed ‘family man’ in crash sentenced

Stephen Dixey, 39, of Curtis Street, Swindon, was driving a Citroen Berlingo Van on December 1, 2021, when it crashed with two other cars on the A346 in Burbage near Marlborough just after 6.15am. James Dixey was a passenger and was killed as a result of the crash. During an earlier court appearance on July 14 of this year, Stephen Dixey, admitted to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving, but denied the stronger charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Recommended reading However, at Swindon Crown Court on August 14, the prosecution offered no evidence for a charge of death by dangerous driving, meaning that it was dismissed. As a result, Stephen Dixey was only sentenced for the charge he had admitted, with Circuit Judge Jason Taylor, opting not to send him to jail.

Instead, the defendant was handed a suspended prison sentence of 16-months, which was suspended for a period of two-years. This means that he will be free to live his life provided he doesn't offend again, and if he does, he will be called back to court, where the suspended sentence could be activated. Alongside the suspended sentence, he was ordered to complete 275 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of GBP156 by October 14, 2025.

He was also banned from driving for three years, effective from July 14. During his first court appearance in 2023, at Swindon Magistrates Court, Stephen Dixey was accompanied by a large number of family members.

He was in tears as he was asked to tell the magistrates his name and address, before the case was referred to Swindon Crown Court because of its seriousness. James' family paid tribute to him after his death. In a statement released by police, they said: "James Dixey, lovingly known to all as Jim, was a devoted family man - described by his wife Kay as her hero, soulmate and best friend.

"Jim would do anything for anyone at the drop of a hat and was a real family-oriented man.

"He loved watching the rugby, fishing with his grandchildren and playing snooker with his brother.

He will be sorely missed by his large family."