T4K3.news

Driver who killed cyclist under nitrous oxide influence sentenced

Cain Byrne has been sentenced to over 11 years for the fatal collision with cyclist Graham Slinn.

July 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM

Driver who inhaled laughing gas before killing 81-year-old cyclist in hit-and-run detained

A 20-year-old driver received a severe sentence after killing an 81-year-old cyclist in South Yorkshire.

Driver detained for killing cyclist while inhaling nitrous oxide

Cain Byrne, a 20-year-old driver with no license, was sentenced to over 11 years for killing 81-year-old Graham Slinn in a hit-and-run incident. On April 4, while under the influence of nitrous oxide, Byrne struck Slinn, who was crossing the road, and then fled the scene. Witnesses reported Byrne's reckless speed, estimating it to be between 60 and 80 mph in a 50-mph zone. After the incident, he was captured on dashcam footage inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon both before and after the crash. Sentencing him, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC highlighted the dangers of his actions and described them as a threat to public safety. Slinn's family expressed their heartbreak over the loss, emphasizing the avoidability of his death and the impact it had on their lives.

Key Takeaways

✔️

A driver was sentenced to 11 years for killing a cyclist while under the influence.

✔️

Graham Slinn was crossing the road when struck by the speeding car.

✔️

The driver's actions highlight the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide while driving.

✔️

Judge described Byrne's behavior as exceptionally dangerous and a threat to public safety.

✔️

Slinn's family mourns a preventable loss, emphasizing their father’s values and life.

✔️

The case reflects ongoing issues of road safety and drug-related driving dangers.

"You are a dangerous offender and the public must be protected from your evident dangerous and ingrained criminal behaviour."

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC highlighted the need for public protection in his sentencing.

"On the day he died, he was hit at speed by a car driven by someone who just kept going, as if our dad wasn't even there."

Slinn's children reflect on their father's tragic and avoidable death due to reckless driving.

"Inhaling nitrous oxide while driving is an exceptionally dangerous act."

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC stressed the risks associated with Byrne's actions during the sentencing.

"Their father's death was 100% avoidable."

Graham Slinn's family voiced their grief and frustration over the preventable nature of his tragic accident.

This tragic case exemplifies the alarming issues surrounding the misuse of nitrous oxide while driving. The legal system has responded harshly, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards such dangerous behavior. However, this incident raises questions about how to effectively prevent similar acts in the future. Beyond legal ramifications, the story of Graham Slinn underscores the human cost of reckless driving practices that too often go unaddressed.

Highlights

Inhaling nitrous oxide while driving is exceptionally dangerous.
This tragedy highlights the human cost of reckless driving.
Slinn's family stated his death was 100% avoidable.
The court emphasized the need to protect the public from dangerous offenders.

Driving under the influence of nitrous oxide raises concerns

Byrne's actions present significant dangers related to road safety and substance abuse. The repeated incidences of driving under the influence could spark public outrage and demand for stricter regulations.

The community must confront the escalating problem of substance use and driving behavior.

🏷️

road safety nitrous oxide hit and run legal consequences public safety crime law safety

Enjoyed this? Let your friends know!