A Gqeberha bartender who knocked a grandfather off his bicycle while driving drunk in Walmer, had been on the brink of securing a plea deal when – after a year in hospital – his victim died.

A report in The Herald says the deal would have seen Ricky du Preez get a slap on the wrist for a reckless and negligent driving conviction, but yesterday – four years after the crash – Du Preez (32) was finally convicted of culpable homicide and drunk driving after pleading guilty to the charges.

Brian Jolly’s wife, Nan (74) weeping as she read out a victim impact statement in court, said: ‘Nothing will bring him back, all I want is for no-one to drink and drive again.’

Du Preez had been more than four times over the legal alcohol limit while driving his vehicle.

Jolly (77) had suffered severe injuries – including a broken back and neck – died later as a result of his multiple injuries which had left him paralysed from the neck down.

Yesterday, Du Preez finally pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol in the Gqeberha Regional Court.

Defence attorney Malan de Beer said Du Preez had taken full responsibility for his actions and by pleading guilty.

‘(Du Preez) feels heartsore for all the pain and suffering he has caused to others,’ De Beer said.

Magistrate Pumla Sibiya accepted Du Preez’s plea and sentenced him to three years’ correctional supervision on the charge of culpable homicide.

Du Preez was placed under house arrest daily between 6pm and 6am, and was ordered to report every Saturday to the Walmer police station to perform 16 hours of community service every month.

On the charge of drunk driving, Du Preez was sentenced to a fine of a R10 000 or two years’ imprisonment.

Full report in The Herald (subscription needed)