A young driver who was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he fatally struck an 81-year-old cyclist on a South Yorkshire road has been sentenced to more than 11 years in custody. Twenty-year-old Cain Byrne, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, received a sentence of 11 years and six months’ detention at a young offenders institution, alongside a driving ban exceeding 17 years. The tragic collision occurred on the A57 near Todwick on 4 April, as the elderly victim, Graham Slinn, was crossing at a pedestrian crossing.
Sheffield Crown Court learned that Byrne inhaled nitrous oxide both before and after the moment he struck Mr Slinn with his Volkswagen Golf. The court saw footage establishing that Byrne made no attempt to slow down as he sped through a red light, with speeds reportedly reaching up to 80mph in a 50mph zone. Mr Slinn, a former builder celebrated for his community spirit, had dismounted his bike and was following the legal pedestrian signals at the time of the collision.
Byrne had never held a full driving licence and was driving with two passengers present. After the crash, he made a rapid escape from the scene, as caught on dashcam, the car’s tyres screeching along the tarmac. The court was shown video montages depicting Byrne inhaling nitrous oxide gas from a yellow balloon mere seconds before, and again moments after, the fatal impact.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, presiding over the proceedings, branded Byrne’s conduct as “exceptionally dangerous,” particularly highlighting the reckless nature of inhaling nitrous oxide while behind the wheel. Addressing the court, the judge stated, “Mr Slinn was crossing the road entirely lawfully, in accordance with the green light for him, and died of injuries inflicted by your truly appalling driving.” He noted that Byrne’s upbringing had been difficult and unstructured but emphasised the need to shield the public from Byrne’s “evident dangerous and ingrained criminal behaviour.”
The gravity of Byrne’s previous convictions became clear during sentencing. He had already accumulated 27 offences — including dangerous driving — despite never being legally qualified to drive. At a previous hearing, it was assessed that the severity of Byrne’s criminal record warranted a delay in sentencing so that probation officers could prepare an in-depth report.
Mr Slinn’s widow, Jacqueline, told the court of her loss, sharing how she and her late husband had bonded over a love of cycling and were just weeks away from marking 60 years of marriage. Their daughter Nicola and son Victor released a heartfelt statement reflecting on their father’s active nature and devotion to family, describing him as “kind to his core” and lamenting a “100% avoidable” tragedy. “On the afternoon of April 4, our dad set out on his bike — something he had loved since his youth. He always took safety incredibly seriously… Despite taking every possible precaution to stay safe… 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,” they said.
The emotional testimony provided by the Slinn family presented a poignant reminder of the devastation caused by Byrne’s choice to drive recklessly under the influence of a mind-altering substance. The family’s statement, released with the support of Thompsons Solicitors, underscored the profound silence left in their home and criticised the senselessness of Mr Slinn’s death.
Rebecca Stephens, representing Byrne, told the court her client did not initially realise he had struck a person, instead believing his vehicle had been clipped by another car. Nevertheless, the facts presented left little room for ambiguity about the seriousness of the incident and the consequences of Byrne’s actions.
The sentence imposed upon Byrne seeks not only to deliver justice for Mr Slinn’s family but also serves as a cautionary tale about the severe consequences of driving under the influence of substances such as nitrous oxide. The judiciary’s strong response may be viewed as an attempt to curtail similar tragedies on Britain’s roads and to highlight the enduring pain caused to the families left behind.