The family of Michael Ramstedt, a school caretaker from Shurdington, Cheltenham, who tragically died in a car crash over two years ago, have spoken out against what they describe as an excessively lenient sentence handed to the driver responsible.
Michael Ramstedt, 58, a devoted father of four and grandfather of eight, was killed when Nuno Gouveia, 32, of Chipping Street, Tetbury, drove into oncoming traffic at Birdlip, colliding with Mr Ramstedt’s vehicle.
On 19 August, Cheltenham magistrates sentenced Gouveia to an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years. The court also imposed a 12-month driving ban, a fine of £272, and 150 hours of unpaid community work. Earlier in July, Gouveia pleaded guilty to causing death by careless and inconsiderate driving, explaining he had been distracted by his satnav at the time of the collision.
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Mr Ramstedt’s family have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the sentence. His widow, Livia, shared an emotional statement on social media, emphasising that for her and her family, the case represents a lifelong loss rather than simply a court proceeding. She said, “Michael died, and we have had to live with that loss every single day. After nearly two years of waiting for some sense of justice, an eight-month sentence suspended for two years, 150 hours of community service and costs feels incredibly difficult to comprehend.”
She added that while no punishment could undo the tragedy, she had hoped the sentence would reflect the severe and permanent impact of losing a loved one.
Keith Harris, one of Mr Ramstedt’s sons, who attended the sentencing hearing, also voiced his anger, particularly criticising the short driving ban. “I’m just so angry. The fact that it took two years. I’m not that bothered about the prison sentence but the one-year driving ban? That’s ridiculous. His licence should have been taken away for five to 10 years to make people understand that having one is a privilege, not an expectation.”
Mr Harris recalled that the collision occurred at 5:30 am as his father was on his way to Sladewood Academy in Stroud, where he worked. According to Mr Harris, there were no witnesses besides Gouveia, whose Nissan Qashqai crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with his father’s Kia Picanto, which ended up against a roadside tree. Mr Ramstedt died at the scene from multiple injuries, while Gouveia, who was a Stagecoach bus driver at the time and reportedly late for work, escaped without injury.
Reflecting on the accident location, Mr Harris described the road as mostly straight with a slight curve, and expressed feeling “utterly let down” by the authorities due to the lengthy delay before the court case and the perceived light sentence.
A spokesperson for the Sentencing Council explained that the decision to suspend the short sentence aligns with legislation set out in the Sentencing Act 2026.
Gloucestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, represented by Staff Investigator Hannah Moore, emphasised the dangers of distracted driving. Moore said: “Being distracted behind the wheel is not only completely unacceptable and reckless, but puts lives at risk, as we sadly saw in this case. Concentrating on the road is far more important when it comes to keeping you and other road users safe.”
Livia Ramstedt also provided a deeply moving victim impact statement through the police, sharing the profound and lasting pain of losing her husband of 28 years. She said, “Losing Michael was the hardest thing we experienced. There is no-one and nothing who can ever replace him or the things he did for us all. I cannot just delete 28 years of marriage; I lived most of my life with him and having to live without him is incredibly difficult. I lost my soulmate and other half, and nothing can bring him back. I still have the video of him leaving for work that morning, I cannot bring myself to delete it as it is the last memory I have. He was the most selfless, loving and affectionate person. I believe he did not deserve to die like that. We miss him so much and would do anything to have him back with us.”
A family tribute previously noted that Michael Ramstedt was born in Gloucester and raised in Cheltenham, describing him as a devoted father and grandad, deeply loved and mourned by his family.