The killer drivers who have claimed the lives of others on Welsh roads

We appreciate we are taking our lives into our hands every time we get behind the wheel of a car, but the standard of driving from some motorists has led to the deaths of innocent people on Welsh roads. These people have appeared in front of the courts and are often jailed. Whether it's speeding in excess of 100mph, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a momentary lapse of concentration, fatal collisions can be caused by all kinds of reasons.

For the loved ones of victims killed as a result, they are often left asking why those behind the wheel couldn't have taken more care. Here is a round up of the killer drivers who have been jailed in Welsh courts this year. Harley Whiteman

Harley Whiteman, 19, was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine when he hit and killed 13-year-old Kaylan Hippsley with his car in Hirwaun (Image: South Wales Police)

Harley Whiteman hit and killed a 13-year-old boy on the pavement before returning to the scene and drunkenly trying to prevent people from treating him[1]. "Cheeky chappie" Kaylan Hippsley suffered multiple fatal injuries as a result of the collision and died days later in hospital.

Kaylan was struck and killed by a Ford Fiesta driven by Whiteman, 19, on Brecon[2] Road, Hirwaun[3], on February 29, as he was standing outside a Co-op store with his friends. He never regained consciousness despite the best efforts of those at the scene as the defendant drove off at speed. At the time of the incident, Kaylan's friends noticed a Ford Fiesta travelling at speed, with some witnesses estimating the vehicle was travelling between 40mph and 60mph.

A Citroen car was travelling in the opposite direction with parked cars causing a narrow gap. Despite this Whiteman tried to squeeze through, swerving to the left and the right in an attempt to avoid the oncoming car. In a sentencing hearing earlier this year, prosecutor Julia Cox said Whiteman's car went up onto the kerb and hit Kaylan.

The impact caused the teenager to be thrown into the junction of a one-way street and hit the road 12.5m from the point of impact. Following the collision, the defendant didn't stop and continued driving erratically at speed, narrowly avoiding a further collision with another car. Whiteman took the same loop and drove past the scene of the collision as Kaylan was being treated by members of the public.

He was seen by a man who recognised him, but he revved his engine and sped off when the man tried to take a picture of him. Whiteman then drove back to his home nearby where his two passengers got out of the car and returned to the scene of the collision, and he made his way there shortly later. A student nurse was performing CPR on Kaylan when the defendant tried to hinder her.

He said: "Do you think I give a f*** about this kid on the floor? Why the f*** don't you all just leave him and stop doing that." Bystanders tried to move Whiteman away as he became agitated and shouted at a man who asked him about his car. He responded "I don't know what you're talking about...

I haven't got a car, I don't even drive." The defendant also offered a man a fight, as Kaylan lay dying in the road. The police attended and Whiteman had to be restrained as he was arrested, with police believing him to be extremely intoxicated. Ms Cox said the defendant was abusive towards police and members of the public, and showed no remorse for his actions, saying: "It was a f****** good show".

Whiteman was sentenced to six years and nine months[4] detention in a young offenders' institute. He was disqualified from driving for a period of eight years and four months. The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme and Whiteman's sentence was substituted to nine years' detention.

Roger Brenninkmeyer

Roger Brenninkmeyer (Image: North Wales Police)

Roger Brenninkmeyer, 60, was driving at almost 100mph when he crashed into another car and killed a "caring and gentle" 20-year-old driver.[5] The incident happened near Pwllheli. Caernarfon Crown Court heard the defendant's BMW hit an embankment on a rural road, overturned, collided with the victim's car and spun into a field, stopping 99 metres away. Droy Darrock-York died in the collision.

A woman who brought him up from the age of four told the court: "The world is a darker place without Droy. He was the sunshine to my day." Prosecutor David Mainstone said an "airbag control module" from the BMW later showed it had been travelling at 99mph in a 20mph zone.

An investigation found the accelerator had been "fully depressed at the moment of impact". Earlier Brenninkmeyer had been driving at 109mph. Brenninkmeyer, of Hinderton Road, Neston, was jailed for six years and eight months[6] for causing death by dangerous driving.

He was banned from driving for eleven years and four months. Mateusz Sikorski

Mateusz Sikorski was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for causing the death of taxi driver Christopher Boyle by dangerous driving (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)

A taxi driver described as the "kindest, funniest, most genuine and helpful taxi driver ever" was killed by Mateusz Sikorskidriving on the wrong side of the road.[7] Christopher Boyle died of traumatic injuries after a BMW being driven by the Italian chef ploughed into his taxi on a quiet Pembrokeshire[8] road. Swansea Crown Court[9] heard Sikorski was visiting friends in Wales with a view to taking up a job in their restaurant at the time of the collision, and that he had been driving on the wrong side of the road "for at least half a mile" before the head-on smash.

On the night of September 2 this year Mr Boyle - a father-of-five known to his wide circle of friends as "Mukka" - was driving northbound on A4139 at Penally near Tenby when his car was struck by a BMW coming in the opposite direction. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and firefighters, the 57-year old died at the scene. The court heard CCTV footage recovered from the Kiln Park service station around half a mile from the crash scene "clearly showed" the BMW driving along on the wrong side of the road shortly before the crash.

The court heard Sikorski was spoken to at the scene and initially told officers he had been driving on the right side of the road but later said "I think it may have been my fault. I think I was on the wrong side of the road". He was sentenced to two years and four months[10] in prison.

Jaqueline Mwila The family of Emma Louise Morris said they have been left in "unimaginable devastation" after a horrific crash that robbed them of the cherished mother-of-two.[11] Jaqueline Mwila, 51, from Mount Pleasant, Swansea[12], pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. It was Mwila's attempt to overtake on the Y Felinheli bypass last April that resulted in the tragic death of Pwllheli mother Emma, with serious injuries also inflicted upon her son Jack as well as fellow motorist Malcolm Williams.

Emma, only 28 years old and from Ala Road, was declared dead at the scene. Her family issued a statement following Mwila's conviction: "It has been a long, torturous and painful journey to finally get to this point today. There is no real justice for Emma.

Jaqueline Mwila caused her death by dangerous driving, and although she pleaded guilty to all the charges against her, the sentence she was given does not go nearly far enough for us as a family. "Our lives have been changed forever, shattered, mutilated by the recklessness and carelessness of this woman who chose to drive so dangerously as to kill our daughter without any regard for other road users that day. We will try to move forward without our beautiful Emma.

A future her two children have to face without their loving mother. Our pain is constant, our hearts remain broken." Mwila was sentenced to seven years and four months, at Caernarfon Crown Court, and was disqualified from driving for nine years and 46 weeks.

Ricky Perkins

Ricky Perkins (Image: South Wales Police)

Ricky Perkins travelled at almost double the speed limit in poor weather[13] and lost control of his vehicle before aquaplaning into a layby and killing a man[14]. The 32-year-old was driving eastbound along the A4063 Aberkenfig bypass at 89mph when his car struck[15] 49-year-old Byron Jeanes. A sentencing hearing at Ne wport Crown Court[16] was told the crash happened at 5.45am on January 20, 2021 in a 50mph zone near a busy motorway junction.

Matthew Cobbe, prosecuting, said Mr Jeanes had been a pedestrian waiting for his friend in a lay-by when the defendant lost control of his vehicle driving far too quickly for the conditions. Mr Cobbe read out a witness statement from Craig Townsend who had been travelling in the same direction as Perkins around the time of the crash. Mr Townsend described how he noticed heavy surface water on the left hand side of the carriageway, so made the decision to move over into the right-hand lane to avoid it.

Although there was only "drizzle" at the time, there had been heavy rain during the night which contributed to the surface water. Mr Townsend - who was travelling at the speed limit - said he noticed Perkins' car catch up to his before Perkins undercut him by driving into the left hand lane. Mr Townsend also noted Perkins' excessive speed.

Although it was heard that the act of undercutting did not directly cause the crash, Mr Cobbe said Perkins collided with Mr Jeanes shortly afterwards when he lost control of his car. The rear of the defendant's car veered to the right before [it lost control] and veered to the left meeting the verge and layby. It collided with a metal lamppost and Mr Jeanes," he said.

Perkins' car stopped around 100 metres away from Mr Jeanes. The defendant stopped at the scene and was heard saying: "I've just killed someone. I'm going to lose my job", while he appeared to be in a "state of shock".

He was sentenced to a total of five years in prison and disqualified him from driving for five years and six months. He will need to complete an extended retest if he wishes to drive again. Cameron Jones

Cameron Jones (Image: South Wales Police)

Cameron Jones was driving at "motorway speeds" in a 20mph zone in Merthyr Tydfil when he lost control of the car on a wet road and slammed into a garden wall.

As his partner Demi Mabbitt lay fatally injured at the side of the road, Jones used her phone to call 999 and falsely claimed she had been the one driving.[17] The court heard a number of drivers as well as people living on the street responded to the sight and sounds of the crash, and that Jones was seen "rummaging around" in the crashed Audi with a torch and talking about "finding the guy who was driving". The defendant then ran away.

Paul Mabbitt said the death of his 25-year-old daughter had left a void in his life which could never be filled. In a powerful statement read in person to the court Mr Mabbitt said he would never forgive 30-year-old Jones for what he had done. He said: "Demi was and always will be our beautiful baby girl.

From the moment she come into our world and our lives until the day she was taken from us she was special. It is impossible to put into words what Demi meant to us however during this statement I will try. I will show you all just how much she was loved by her family and how much she will be missed by all who knew her."

"To Michelle and I family was everything. Having a large, loving, caring, closeknit family was what brought us happiness... The world and our family are smaller and incomplete without Demi here."

Jones was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He was banned from driving for a total of 10 years and must pass an extended test before he can get a licence.

Vasile Barbu

Vasile Barbu (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)

Vasile Barbu killed cyclist Rebecca Comins, 52, after hitting her with his Vauxhall Movano van on the A40 near Raglan, in Monmouthshire[18]. She died at the scene[19] after suffering blunt chest injuries. Mrs Comins and the defendant were travelling in the eastbound carriageway at the time of the collision.

The athlete was taking part in a time trial event run by Monmouthshire[20] Wheelers, along with other cyclists. The stretch of the A40 on which the collision occurred was straight. A subsequent investigation conducted by a forensic collision investigator concluded Mrs Comins would have been visible for at least 500 metres prior to impact.

The cyclist was half a metre from the edge of the road, and the outside lane was clear to allow for the defendant to pass her without issue. Driver Andrew Allman saw the collision in his rear view mirror having passed Mrs Comins. He said he saw Barbu hit Mrs Comin's bike, which caused her to be thrown off to the left onto the grass verge.

The driver then safely pulled over before calling 999. Attempts were made by passersby to help Mrs Comins until the arrival of the emergency services but despite their best efforts the cyclist died at the scene as a result of her injuries. Barbu, who remained at the roadside, spoke to police and appeared upset.

He tested negative for alcohol and drugs, and his eyesight was found to be fine. Barbu was sentenced to four years imprisonment[21], of which he will serve half in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence. The defendant was also disqualified from driving for a total of four years.

Lee Jones DPD delivery driver Lee Jones reversed down a one-way street in Rhyl and tragically struck and killed an elderly pedestrian[22]. The 35-year-old had overshot his destination behind the White Rose Shopping Centre and decided to reverse the way he had come to save time on his delivery route.

Tragically, while reversing, Jones hit Patrick McDonald. In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Mr McDonald's partner and daughter arrived at the scene just as paramedics were attempting to save him. Despite the efforts of medics, the pensioner died in hospital the next day.

At Mold Crown Court, the judge, addressing Jones, a former soldier and US defence department employee, stated that the fatal incident could have been avoided. Jones was sentenced to 42 months in prison[23] for causing death by dangerous driving and was disqualified from driving for 81 months. He must pass an extended retest before he can drive again.

Steven Fisher Speeding driver Steven Fisher took the life of an 84-year-old grandfather when he slammed into the pensioner's car[24]. He had been travelling at around 77mph and accelerating hard in his Jaguar just two seconds before smashing into Gareth Evans' car causing catastrophic injuries.

Former rugby referee and Royal Welsh Fusiliers soldier Mr Evans was airlifted to hospital following the crash but could not be saved. Meanwhile Fisher phoned his employers to ask them to lie on his behalf. In an impact statement from Mr Evans' 87-year-old widow she said she and her husband had been looking forward to spending what time they still had together enjoying the "simple things" in life such as walking their dog, watching television, and seeing their son and grandson.

She also said there had been times when she feared she would not live to see Fisher admitting his guilt for what he had done. The fatal collision happened on the morning of February 23, 2021, outside the CEM Day's garage on Swansea[25] Road in Garngoch. Mr Evans was only out that day to give his wife's Honda Jazz car "a run" to charge the battery, and was pulling onto Swansea Road when Fisher's Jaguar XF slammed into the front offside of the vehicle sending it spinning off the road.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and keen Swansea City[26] fan Mr Evans was flown to hospital by air ambulance where he was pronounced dead that afternoon having suffered multiple injuries. Fisher was sentenced to six years in prison[27]. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

The defendant was banned from driving for a total of six years, and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back. May Mustey May Mustey knocked over and killed an elderly woman in a shop car park after failing to properly clear her misty windows.

The victim suffered a fractured skull as a result of the collision and never regained consciousness. The 45-year-old driver drove her Toyota Yaris into pedestrian Gwendoline Owen, 75, who was walking in the car park of Waitrose in Monmouth[28] on New Year's Eve 2022. The defendant failed to see Mrs Owen due to her car windows being steamed up but she drove in any case.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court[29] heard Mustey had been swimming at Monmouth Leisure Centre and briefly went shopping at the Marks & Spencer food hall. Mrs Owen had attended Waitrose and was walking through the car park at the time of the collision. When Mustey got back to her car she realised there was condensation on the interior of her car windows.

She started her vehicle and waited for a short time before beginning to drive towards the car park exit. She could only see through the bottom of the windscreen and wound down the driver's side window to poke her head out. As she took her second right-hand turn prosecutor John Ryan said she heard a "thump" and "bump" and saw a figure colliding with her car and falling away.

She opened her car door and saw Mrs Owen on the ground lying unconscious. A witness who visited the collision saw Mustey cutting a corner near the supermarket entrance and drove over an empty disabled parking space. It was said it was clear she was not paying attention to her surroundings and she drove diagonally on a straight stretch of road.

The car was driven over Mrs Owen's feet which caused her to fall back quickly and hit her head hard on the ground. The impact resulted in her being knocked unconscious. Mrs Owen was taken to the University Hospital of Wales[30] in Cardiff[31] but she could not be saved.

Mustey was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months[32]. She was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, to pay GBP1,200 in court costs, and was disqualified from driving for five years. Owain Hammett-George

Owain Hammett-George

Owain Hammett-George killed two of his friends by crashing into a petrol station in Swansea.

The teenager crashed an Alfa Romeo into the Northway Garage in Bishopston in May 2022. Two of his passengers, Kaitlyn Davies and Ben Rogers, both 19, died at the scene while a third passenger, Casey Thomas, then aged 17, sustained serious injuries. At his sentencing hearing, a packed court was told how Hammett-George, of Awel Deg, Birchgrove, Swansea, was driving at more than twice the speed limit of 30mph leading up to the petrol station after he picked up his passengers on the evening of May 31, 2022.

Shortly after 11pm that evening he lost control of the car and hit a grass bank causing the vehicle to flip into the air and rotate before colliding with a concrete pillar. An investigation into the crash discovered that Hammett-George was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision but had placed the belt into its lock and sat on it in order to stop the car's warning sound and light being activated. Despite the best efforts of people in attendance at or near the petrol station, Miss Davies and Mr Rogers both died of their injuries at the scene.

Miss Thomas was taken to hospital and the court heard is continuing to recover from what were described as "life-changing injuries". Two police officers who attended the petrol station after the crash described a scene of "utter devastation" with one describing it as "the worst collision damage they had ever witnessed in more than two decades". The court heard the impact of the crash was so strong that the engine of the Alfa Romeo was discovered 15m away from where it actually crashed.

Hammett-George himself was found lying by a fence near a neighbouring property and was taken to hospital. When questioned about the crash he admitted he was driving at 60mph and said that he hit a pothole which caused him to lose control. The prosecution said there was no evidence of any pothole and an investigation revealed that at times Hammett-George was driving at more than 70mph with the car travelling at between 41mph and 43mph at the time of impact.

The defendant was sentenced to six years in a youth detention unit. Hammett-George was also disqualified from driving for eight years and told he will need to pass an extended driving test before he is able to obtain a licence again. Charlotte Symons

Charlotte Symons was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison (Image: Gwent Police)

Charlotte Symons killed a much-loved grandmother when she cut the corner at a mini roundabout and knocked down her victim as she crossed the road.

The driver would later say she did not see pedestrian Sandra Chamberlain in the carriageway as she turned right at the junction rather than driving around the mini-roundabout. Mrs Chamberlain - a well-known figure in the local community - was knocked down and driven over by Symons and her Nissan Navara as she went to post Christmas[33] cards and do some shopping. She suffered catastrophic brain injuries from which she did not recover.

Mrs Chamberlain's daughter described her mother as "my everything" and said while the family knew the defendant had not set out to hurt anyone that day, all drivers have a responsibility to others when they get behind the wheel. Cardiff Crown Court[34] heard that the fatal collision happened on December 9, 2022, in Markham near Blackwood[35]. Gareth James, prosecuting, said after calling at the One Stop shop on Abernant Road, Symons drove her Nissan Navara up the hill towards the roundabout at the junction with Pantycefn Road intending to turn right.

Also at the mini roundabout at that time was Mrs Chamberlain in her red coat - she was crossing the road at the junction on the way to the shops. Rather than staying in the left hand lane and going clockwise around the mini roundabout to take the exit to the right, the defendant instead turned sharp right, cut the corner, and effectively went the wrong way around the mini roundabout to get to Pantycefn Road. As she did so she knocked down and drove over her victim who had almost finished crossing the road.

Symons stopped at the scene and went to help the stricken pedestrian, and could be heard to say "I didn't see her, I didn't see her". The incident was caught on CCTV and video doorbell footage from nearby properties, footage which was played to the court. Mrs Chamberlain was rushed to hospital but could not be saved and died on December 17.

A subsequent post mortem showed she had suffered blunt impact injuries to the head which caused traumatic brain injury. The court heard that in her police interviews Symons said she knew the junction well and would drive it several times a day, and that "complacency set in". She again said she did not see Mrs Chamberlain, a woman she knew from the local community.

The court heard tests showed no alcohol or drugs in the driver's system, and no defects with the Nissan. Symons was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison[36] - she will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant was disqualified from driving for seven years, and the ban was extended by an additional two years and four months to allow for the time she will be in prison.

Mandy Pope

Mandy Pope, 55, killed motorcyclist Jordan Talbot, 21, in a head on collision on the A426 in Barry (Image: South Wales Police)

The parents of a young motorcyclist killed by driver Mandy Pope who overtook a HGV vehicle said they hope his death "haunts" her. Jordan Talbot said the killer would "never understand the pain, emptiness and loneliness" she has caused. Jordan was just five days into his 21st year when he was killed by Mandy Pope, 55, as both were driving along the A4226 in Barry[37] on November 23, 2021.

The collision took place as both were travelling to work, with Pope hitting Mr Talbot head on after pulling into the oncoming lane to overtake a HGV vehicle. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court[38] heard Mr Talbot suffered "catastrophic injuries" having been thrown from his Honda CB500F into the air and landing on the carriageway. He was later declared dead having never regained consciousness.

Mr Talbot, described by those who knew him as a "bright and promising young man" was travelling to work at Aston Martin, while Pope was also travelling to work at Barry Screwfix in her white Vauxhall Astra. In clips played to the court from Pope's dash cam, she was heard to be "frustrated and impatient" about being stuck at red traffic lights. She could be heard saying "For Christ's sake" and "waiting for invisible cars to pass".

Having entered the A4226, Pope was caught behind a HGV vehicle which was constrained to 50mph, with the speed limit on the road being 60mph. She was witnessed by the HGV driver and a taxi driver to pull into the oncoming lane in order to overtake the HGV vehicle. But she failed to notice the headlight of the motorcycle, which was described by others as "bright and clear", travelling towards her.

Horrific footage of the collision was played to the court by prosecutor Amex Orndal in which Pope could be seen pulling out into the opposing carriageway before hitting Mr Talbot's bike and the victim being thrown into the air before landing on the carriageway. Members of Mr Talbot's family were present in court as the footage was played to the court. Pope was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment[39].

She was also disqualified from driving for five years and eight months. Terrence Bunnett Terence Bunnett knocked down and killed a cyclist after not seeing him at a junction.

The defendant, aged 84, had popped out to buy a loaf of bread when he drove into the side of Martin Skinner and then ran over the cyclist, leaving his victim trapped under the car. Newport Crown Court[40] heard Mr Skinner was cycling home after making his daily visit to his wife who lives in a residential home when he was knocked down and killed. In a statement read to the court his wife described Mr Skinner as her "soul mate" and best friend and said his death had left her "emotionally lost".

The fatal collision occurred at 4.20pm on New Year's Day this year at the junction of St Julian's Avenue and Caerleon Road in Newport[41]. The defendant was approaching the junction from St Julian's Avenue with the intention of turning right onto Caerleon Road in order to stop at the nearby Spar shop to a buy bread. Also approaching the junction was Mr Skinner, who was cycling home after visiting his wife in the residential home where she lives, and was intending to turn right from Caerleon Road into St Julian's Avenue.

Mr Skinner, 61, was not displaying lights on his bike. The court was shown video footage which showed Bunnett stopping at the junction before turning right into Caerleon Road. As he did so, he drove into the side of Mr Skinner who was also directly in front of his Vauxhall Astra estate.

The cyclist was knocked to the ground and the defendant moved forward a short distance and drove over Mr Skinner, trapping him under his vehicle. Passers-by rushed to the collision with one woman running in front of Bunnett's car waving her arms and shouting "No! No!

No! No!" The defendant momentarily engaged reverse gear before stopping the car and getting out. The court heard witness tried to free Mr Skinner from under the Astra but were unable to lift it as were the police officers who were the first emergency workers on the scene.

It wasn't until firefighters arrived with lifting gear that the cyclist was freed but at that point he had sadly already died. Bunnett was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 18 months[42] and was banned from driving for two years. He must pass an extended test before he can drive again.

Roger Jones A grandmother died four months after being fatally struck by a reversing car driven by Rogers Jones on a garage forecourt which left her disabled. The victim's daughters described feeling "haunted" by the last four months of their mother's life.

Sandra Diplock, 64, was knocked down by a Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Jones, 60, at Brooklands Garage, in Nelson, Caerphilly[43] on April 19 last year. The driver failed to see the grandmother as she crossed the forecourt with her grandson's friend and she struck her head on the concrete after being hit by the vehicle. A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court[44] heard the defendant was moving his Mitsubishi as Ms Diplock and her grandson's friend walked across the forecourt.

He initially moved forwards and turned right before stopping and reversing at speed. The defendant got out of the car to see what happened and saw Ms Diplock was unconscious. The emergency services were called as the victim began mumbling and groaning.

Paramedics and police attended the scene and Ms Diplock was taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil to receive treatment for a serious head injury. She was examined and found to have suffered a traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture, a subdural haematoma and a brain contusion. Ms Diplock was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales[45] in Cardiff[46] where her condition deteriorated over months.

She suffered seizures triggered by her brain injury which could not be controlled. The decision was later made for Ms Diplock to receive palliative care and she died on August 31, 2023. Her cause of death was given as aspiration pneumonia, post traumatic epilepsy and a traumatic brain injury following a collision.

Jones was sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months[47]. He was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work, to pay GBP150 in costs and disqualified from driving for 15 months. Dale Hilton

Dale Hilton, 42, of Heol Kenyon, Johnstown Wrexham, was jailed for four years for causing death without due care and attention while over a specified limit for a specified, controlled drug (Image: North Wales Police)

Drug driver Dale Hilton caused the death of a "beloved" great grandfather in a crash.

He was four times over the drug drive limit when his car crashed into George Stevenson. Mr Stevenson then had to wait hours for an ambulance, before he later died. A judge said the death of Mr Stevenson was "thoroughly avoidable", but added it could not be known if the three-hour wait for an ambulance also played a part in the tragedy.

Hilton was jailed for four years[48] for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of a controlled drug. The 42-year-old, of Heol Kenyon, Johnstown, Wrexham[49], was said to have struggled with the Covid-19[50] lockdown and ended up turning to cocaine. Mold Crown Court heard that he rang Mr Stevenson's wife himself and brought her to the scene.

The crash happened when the defendant's red Peugeot C2 car collided with George Ian Stevenson as he was walking along High Street in Johnstown at 7.30pm on March 2, 2022, reports North Wales Live.[51]

The level of Benzolecgonine in his system was four times the legal limit.

Mr Stevenson, a retired undertaker, lorry driver and mechanic, died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital that night.

References

1. ^ prevent people from treating him (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ Brecon (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ Hirwaun (www.walesonline.co.uk)
4. ^ six years and nine months (www.walesonline.co.uk)
5. ^ "caring and gentle" 20-year-old driver. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
6. ^ jailed for six years and eight months (www.walesonline.co.uk)
7. ^ driving on the wrong side of the road. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
8. ^ Pembrokeshire (www.walesonline.co.uk)
9. ^ Swansea Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
10. ^ two years and four months (www.walesonline.co.uk)
11. ^ robbed them of the cherished mother-of-two. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
12. ^ Swansea (www.walesonline.co.uk)
13. ^ weather (www.walesonline.co.uk)
14. ^ aquaplaning into a layby and killing a man (www.walesonline.co.uk)
15. ^ struck (www.walesonline.co.uk)
16. ^ wport Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
17. ^ falsely claimed she had been the one driving. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
18. ^ Monmouthshire (www.walesonline.co.uk)
19. ^ died at the scene (www.walesonline.co.uk)
20. ^ Monmouthshire (www.walesonline.co.uk)
21. ^ four years imprisonment (www.walesonline.co.uk)
22. ^ killed an elderly pedestrian (www.walesonline.co.uk)
23. ^ 42 months in prison (www.walesonline.co.uk)
24. ^ slammed into the pensioner's car (www.walesonline.co.uk)
25. ^ Swansea (www.walesonline.co.uk)
26. ^ Swansea City (www.walesonline.co.uk)
27. ^ six years in prison (www.walesonline.co.uk)
28. ^ Monmouth (www.walesonline.co.uk)
29. ^ Cardiff Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
30. ^ University Hospital of Wales (www.walesonline.co.uk)
31. ^ Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
32. ^ 20 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months (www.walesonline.co.uk)
33. ^ Christmas (www.walesonline.co.uk)
34. ^ Cardiff Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
35. ^ Blackwood (www.walesonline.co.uk)
36. ^ four years and eight months in prison (www.walesonline.co.uk)
37. ^ Barry (www.walesonline.co.uk)
38. ^ Cardiff Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
39. ^ three years and four months imprisonment (www.walesonline.co.uk)
40. ^ Newport Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
41. ^ Newport (www.walesonline.co.uk)
42. ^ sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 18 months (www.walesonline.co.uk)
43. ^ Caerphilly (www.walesonline.co.uk)
44. ^ Newport Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
45. ^ University Hospital of Wales (www.walesonline.co.uk)
46. ^ Cardiff (www.walesonline.co.uk)
47. ^ six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months (www.walesonline.co.uk)
48. ^ jailed for four years (www.walesonline.co.uk)
49. ^ Wrexham (www.walesonline.co.uk)
50. ^ Covid-19 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
51. ^ reports North Wales Live. (www.dailypost.co.uk)