ARRIVING at a police block in the road, worried dad Derek Poole was keen to find an alternative route so that he could continue searching for his son, Spencer, who was late home after visiting his grandad’s grave.
But as Derek explained to officers that his son was missing, his world imploded. For, on the other side of the barrier, was Spencer, 22, who’d passed just moments earlier.
Spencer, who was nicknamed the ‘gentle giant’ by loved ones, had been struck by a car while on his motorbike and left helpless in the road.
Last week, drug driver Cormac Sale was jailed for 10 years and eight months after admitting causing Spencer’s death by dangerous driving.
Sale was TEN times the legal ketamine limit and driving on the wrong side of the road when his car hit Spencer.
Handyman Derek, 57, from Bolton, told The Sun: “When the officer asked me to get into his car, I suddenly realised what was coming, and I refused.
‘Gentle giant’
“I wanted to cling on to life as I knew it. I wish I could have held my boy, one last time. Knowing he was so near to me, it breaks my heart all over again.”
Spencer, the younger of Derek’s two sons, was born prematurely in September 2002 and was not expected to survive.
Derek says: “His lungs were weak and he had a hole in his heart. He spent two months in special care and it was touch and go. One night, I was called into the hospital to say goodbye to him. But somehow, he pulled through and from then, he made good progress. He was our little miracle, and we were so protective of him.”
Spencer, who was unemployed, grew into a shy and affectionate boy who loved animals and was very close to his older brother, Josh, now 29.
Derek says: “Spencer had a soft heart. He was friends with everyone and he idolised Josh. He loved our dog, Ellie, and could be funny and mischievous, pouring his juice on her whilst nobody was looking.
“Aged 11, he was diagnosed with autism, and his teenage years were very difficult, because he felt he didn’t fit in.
“He was bullied at school and had periods of depression, but we got through them. He and I were best pals, we were never apart. After me and my ex split up, the boys lived with me.
“Spencer thought the best of everyone. In lockdown, he bought tinned groceries online and left them, for free, on the doorsteps of our elderly neighbours.”
Aged 15, Spencer learned how to fix bikes. Derek recalls: “He was a natural. He watched videos and learned how to completely strip and rebuild a bike engine.
“He was amazing. For his 18th, I bought him a bike, and I’d never seen him so happy. At last, he had found something which really suited him. He was still a very shy lad, but when he put the helmet on, it was like a shield. He was chatty and confident, and he was a member of the local bikers’ club.
“He took road safety so seriously. He had all the correct gear and his bike was immaculate. He would never go over the speed limit, that just wasn’t Spencer. He was very careful.
“We had a childminder living nearby and her kids would sit on his bike and have their photo taken. They all loved Spencer. He was 6ft 4in. and his nickname was GG – Gentle Giant.”
On the evening of December 14, 2024, Spencer went out on his motorbike.
Derek says: “He told me he was going for a drive. I hugged him and told him I loved him and he joked: ‘Get off me, Dad!’
“At 8.45pm, he called and said he was stopping at the cemetery to say goodnight to his granddad and then he’d be home.”
By 9.45pm, Derek was concerned. When he could not reach Spencer by phone, he went to look for him.
I couldn’t take it in. I had to call Josh, who was at home waiting for us both. He screamed when I told him his brother was dead
Derek Poole
He says: “I drove past the cemetery; there was no sign of him. There were blue lights in the distance and the road was closed. I asked an officer if I could get through because my son was missing and I needed to find him.
“Little did I know, Spencer was lying just yards away. I wish I could have held him one last time.”
Derek waited 30 minutes at the scene before learning his son was dead.
Derek says: “I couldn’t take it in. I had to call Josh, who was at home waiting for us both. He screamed when I told him his brother was dead.
“Spencer was cremated in his beloved biker leathers. Hundreds of bikers turned out to honour him and the roads had to be closed. He was so well-loved.”
But the days which followed were dark. Derek says: “We couldn’t bear being in the house without Spencer. I lost 10st in weight. I couldn’t function. I relied on my friend, Martin, and cousin, Paul, to help.
“I also met with two passers-by who had waited with Spencer until the ambulance arrived and that gave me some comfort. I will forever be grateful.”
Cormac Sale appeared before Bolton Crown Court last month. Sale, 22, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
I don’t hate Cormac Sale. I won’t live with anger or bitterness because that is not what Spencer would want. He had such a big heart, and I am trying to carry that love with me
Derek Poole
Prior to the collision, five other drivers had expressed concerns about his driving, reporting he had been driving on the wrong side of the road at speeds of 70mph.
Previous videos on Sale’s mobile phone showed him inhaling from a balloon while behind the wheel. Another showed a woman inhaling nitrous oxide and driving the car with her foot while Sale was in the driver’s seat.
Judge Close jailed Sale for ten years and eight months, ruling he will have to serve two thirds of his time in prison before being eligible for parole. He banned him from driving for five years with a seven year and one month extension to take account of his time in prison.
He told Sale: “Your selfish actions took the life of a good man who, as you have heard, was well loved.”
Derek says: “I only hope this can be a lesson to others. The heartbreak and devastation caused by drug driving and dangerous driving is horrific and I would not wish it on another family.
“I don’t hate Cormac Sale. I won’t live with anger or bitterness because that is not what Spencer would want. He had such a big heart, and I am trying to carry that love with me. I want to focus on the positives – raising awareness and saving lives in his name.”
