Man jailed for five and a half years over Bristol killing
Jonathan Martin, 23, has been jailed for five and a half years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Jack Steadman, 19, of Hartcliffe.
Martin, of no fixed address but originally from Bishopsworth, had originally faced a charge of murder following the tragedy in which tyre fitter Mr Steadman was hit by a Ford Fiesta in Bishopsworth's Elm Tree pub car park on April 2.
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Jack Steadman was hit by a car in Hartcliffe
The teenager, a keen motorcyclist and football fan, had been at the pub watching Liverpool play Arsenal in the Champions League quarter final.
He was left lying in the pub car park at half time with serious head injuries from which he never recovered.
At his funeral last month hundreds of his friends and family packed South Bristol Crematorium yesterday to pay tribute to him.
On the card accompanying a wreath shaped like a motorbike, his parents Colin and Karen penned: "The love we had will never fade. The pain deep inside will never die. We are so proud to have you as a son. The memories we have will keep us strong."
With his trademark grin, infectious sense of humour and ability to see fun in everyone, Mr Steadman was described as "a bit of Hartcliffe Magic".
Born at the Bristol Maternity Hospital, he went to Hareclive School in Hartcliffe and then Bedminster Down School. After leaving school he did a carpentry course at the Carillion College in Brislington for a year and then completed a 12-week life skills course at the Prince's Trust in Bedminster.
It was then that he had started working as a tyre fitter at ATS in St John's Lane in Bristol.
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by georgina, bristol
Thursday, October 30 2008, 11:03PM
“it make's me sick to know john only got 5 years and that he could be out in half that there's no justice in that at all its sick he shouldn't be allowed to come out at all. my thoughts are with jack's family he was a lovely lad miss him loads R.I.P jack x x x”
by samantha hardwell, hartcliffe
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 9:39PM
“jack has lost his life, but so has the rest of us. we have lost a prt of us since hes gone. where is the justice??
my heart goes to the family and his close friends. will always keep in contact with them.
jus remember, jack spirit lives in all of us, and everything hes helped us with.
r.i.p jack! always thinkin of you x”
by Sam, Bristol
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 7:28PM
“For Jon to get only 5 and half years is appalling. The fact he had not been under the influence of any substances only makes the situation worse as that means he was fully aware of his actions at the time. It is wrong that people get reduced sentencing just because they plead guilty. At the end of the day Jon was guilty of a serious crime and should be punished correctly.
What sort of sign does this sentencing send out? There appears to be no consistency in todays world with sentencing. How can some people get 5 years for crimes such as theft/assault etc... yet someone can get the same amount of time for taking another persons life.In my opinion there should be a minimum of 10 years (if not more) for something like this regardless of what the plea.”
by Francesca Norris, Yate
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 2:27PM
“I think it's disgusting. How can we call this 'justice'? He should have been tried for murder not manslaughter. John should have rotted in prison. To jack's family, my thoughts are with you.”
by Abby-Gayle, Bristol
Monday, October 13 2008, 11:06PM
“You call that justice! Ha makes me laugh. Its vile how he only gets 5 years like everyone else said he'll be out in half the time.
He doesnt deserve walking free again! Jack had a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt anyone or anything! Makes Me Sick!!!”
by Clare, Bristol
Monday, October 13 2008, 10:18PM
“Jonathen martin shud of got life not 5 yrs for killing jack cos the police & the judge obviously dont know how to do their jobs properly they seem to like let everyone who does a big crime off wiv a slap on their wrist cos thats wat they gave jonathen alot of ppl aint gonna wont let jonathen 4get wat he has done he has upset too many ppl cos jack was a lovely kiddie wouldn't harm a fly & way too young to die my luv goes to his family my thoughts & heart is wiv u xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
by Clare, Bristol
Monday, October 13 2008, 9:56PM
“I cant believe they gave jonathen Martin 5yrs for killing jack steadman he shud hav got life jack's family hav lost a lovin son to evry1. Thats just wrong cos he will cum out & live his life but jack cant & it's hard losing someone u r close to. My luv goes to the family xxxxxxxxxxxxx”
by ben hammond, bristol
Monday, October 13 2008, 9:23PM
“i cant believe he got 5 years. i was a witness 2 this crime and i think the judge should take into account that jack wouldnt have hurt a fly and he was such a caring and lovely lad. i was one of his best mates and i miss the laughs and the tears we shared together. i miss jack so much and i miss not hearin his laugh or seeing him smile. im glad his parents are appealing because this sentence does not justify the pain that everyone has suffered. R.I.P. jack mate ... up the rovers...”
by julie, bristol
Monday, October 13 2008, 8:16PM
“5 years for taking a young life is disgusting. What has happen to the Bristish Justice System. Please can someone explain why someone who assulted another gets 9 yearsbut for using a lethal weapon such as a car get 5 years. No more Birthdays or christmas's for Jack to share with his beloved family. Jonthan Martin will becoming out of prison with money in his back pocket a training course for new employment for his future all this could happen within 2 years. What about Jack nothing. I hope Mr & Mrs Steadman do appeal against this sentence. I know evreyone who knew Jack will be behind them. Jack was a great lad with a big smile and great sense of humour.”
by charlotte hammond, bristol
Monday, October 13 2008, 5:15PM
“5 years is disgusting!!! As a witness to this appalling crime i think this sentence is a massive injustice for the family and a insult to jacks memory. Jack was a great guy who wouldnt hurt a fly and didnt deserve to be taken away from us so brutally. Jon deserves to rot in prision for his actions! Quite rightly the family are appealing. Lets hope we can finally get some justice for jack. R.I.P. Jack”