The heartbroken daughter of a devoted dad and granddad has issued a stark warning about the dangers of drink driving after his killer was jailed.
Nicola Bailey has been left devastated after her father Nicholas Bailey, 74, was killed by a drink driver in a horror smash in Crawley Down, West Sussex on June 25 last year.
Kevin Pratt had necked several glasses of wine that afternoon at a barbecue with friends and had his last drink just 20 minutes before he drove home in his Vauxhall Astra with a friend.
He was too drunk to spot his victim, who was clearly visible on his motorbike, turning into his victim’s path.
Before he had time to react, it was too late. Mr Bailey suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene.
Pratt, from Crawley in West Sussex, was caught with 43 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres in breath- not far above the legal limit of 35 micrograms, but enough to end someone’s life.
He was jailed for two years and three months at Hove Crown Court after he admitted causing death by careless driving and drink driving.
Pratt was also banned from the road for four and a half years.
Nicola Bailey said after the sentencing: “Mine and my family’s lives have been smashed apart.
"The pain and grief of losing my Dad in such a horrific manner are both unbearable and indescribable. It is complete and utter devastation.
“If I had one message for someone thinking of driving who has consumed alcohol or drugs, it would be STOP: You have a choice.
“I beg anyone who thinks about drinking or taking drugs and driving: do not do it. You put everyone else’s lives at risk and your own.
“Could you live with yourself knowing that you had killed someone and shattered so many other lives alongside? You have a choice.
“That was not his choice. I waited and waited for him, but I never got to see him alive again. I never had the chance to say goodbye and tell him that I loved him so very, very much.
“The man that killed him, he had a choice. He chose to drive after he had been drinking. Every action carries consequences, and the consequences of his actions were fatal.
“By the time I got to him at the crash site he was gone. The images from that evening will stay with me forever.”
Paying tribute to her dad, she added: “I am lucky to have so many wonderful memories to hold onto, and so amazingly grateful to have had the memorable Nick Bailey as my Dad.
“He was utterly unique, a huge character and I was truly blessed, but he should still be here, by my side. His huge presence will forever be felt by myself and many others.
“The wonderful man riding home on his motorbike, back to his daughter and granddaughter, never got home. His right to life was stolen from him.”
