Two drivers who killed a cyclist in a road rage incident have been jailed by a judge who said they were guilty of “unnecessary and appalling dangerous driving”.

Graham Pattison, a married 49-year-old father of two, was hit by Paige Robinson’s Ford Fiesta while she was racing David Ferry at 70mph.

The victim was sent 40 metres through the air when he was knocked off his bike on the dual carriageway A689 near Sedgefield, County Durham, in July 2020.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said Mr Pattison had done nothing wrong and that Robinson, 24, had been distracted by an ongoing road rage incident with 47-year-old Ferry, an ex-Army officer from Redcar.

Teesside Crown Court heard she was trying to undertake his Audi TT when she drove into the back of Mr Pattison at about 70mph.

Robinson and Ferry both denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, but were convicted after a trial, during which the prosecution said each defendant was equally to blame.

Ex-care worker Robinson, who sobbed throughout the sentencing, was jailed for seven years and nine months, while Ferry was sentenced to eight years, as he did not stop at the scene.

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Mr Pattison’s widow, Victoria, said she had lost her soulmate of 30 years and their two daughters a loving father.

In court, she said: “This kind of loss doesn’t discriminate, it can happen to anybody. Please remember that when you get behind the wheel of your car.”

Judge Carroll said Mr Pattison and his family had been deprived of a future together “because of this senseless, unnecessary and appalling dangerous driving”.

‘She must bear full responsibility for what she did’

Robinson, from Billingham, was also egged on by her boyfriend, who was not in the dock but should share some culpability for the tragedy, the judge said.

She tried to undertake Ferry, who swerved towards her, moments before she crashed into Mr Pattison, causing catastrophic injuries.

Martin Sharpe, for Robinson, said she was deeply remorseful.

He said: “Her life has been a nightmare and she must bear full responsibility for what she did.”

Dan Cordey, who represented Ferry, said he was previously of exemplary character, adding: “He is horrified, in his own words, and heartbroken about what happened.”

The judge banned both drivers from driving to cover their prison sentences and the period of any early release.

Outside court, Sergeant Catherine Iley, of Cleveland Police said: “The offenders blamed each other for the collision which took Mr Pattison’s life but as the court heard, they were driving with total disregard for other road users.

“Their selfish actions had catastrophic consequences.”

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