Driver locked up for killing gran as she crossed road
A CARELESS driver who caused the death a greatgreat-grandmother from Maesteg had previously been before the courts for more than 50 motoring offences.
Alan Davies admitted causing the death of 80-year-old Tydfil Jenkins by driving carelessly and under the influence of drugs on Bethania Street in Maesteg on January 10.
He was jailed for four years.
In a victim impact statement read out at Cardiff Crown Court, her daughter Hayley Morgan described her mother as “an amazing lady”.
The court heard the incident occurred at about 5pm near a bus stop on the single carriageway road.
Prosecutor James Wilson said Ms Jenkins was crossing the road near her home when she collided with the defendant’s Renault Clio.
Witness Roger Thomas, who was driving the other way, noted that conditions were “murky and dull”.
He had slowed to 10mph when he saw a woman with a walking stick.
Another witness Philip Evans said it was drizzling, but there was good visibility and he saw the victim from about 40ft away.
He told police he thought the defendant was speeding and did not see him brake or swerve until after the collision.
The defendant’s passenger Dale Maddocks said he understood his friend had a provisional licence and had taken out insurance that day.
He said they were driving between 25mph and 30mph and displaying Lplates at the time.
A nurse at the scene confirmed the victim had “catastrophic injuries” and she was pronounced dead by paramedics at 5.46pm.
Police gave Davies a roadside breath test, which confirmed he had not been drinking, but he admitted he had taken cocaine the previous day.
He told police: “I didn’t see her – I hit her. I didn’t have a chance to stop.”
A police officer noted his speech was slurred and he seemed “blasé” about the incident.
Forensic collision investigators were unable to establish his speed, but concluded he should have been able to stop in time and avoid the collision.
Police found the defendant, who was not the registered keeper of the vehicle, had an expired provisional licence and had failed to tell his insurance company he was disqualified.
A pathologist confirmed the medical cause of death was blunt trauma injuries, which led to a cardiac arrest.
Mr Wilson said: “He has a very bad record for driving offences.”
The court heard that Davies had 32 convictions for 96 offences, including 55 driving offences.
His previous convictions included driving without due care and attention, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.
About 12 people packed into the public gallery for the hearing.
Daughter Hayley Morgan described her mother as “selfless” and “always willing to help”.
She said: “Her final act of kindness was to take some cake she had baked that day over the road for a friend to enjoy.”
Ms Morgan said the family were devastated they would never get the chance to say goodbye.
She added: “My mother’s death has left a massive void in our family.
“Our lives will never be the same because someone thought he was above the law.”
In a statement released following the incident, Ms Jenkin’s family said: “She will be very much missed by all who knew her.”
Davies, 35, from Caerau Road in Maesteg, admit- ted causing death by careless driving and driving under the influence of drugs. He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, without a licence and with no insurance.
David Sedgwick, defending, said: “If my client could turn back time, he would.”
Mr Sedgwick stressed the defendant pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, adding: “He simply did not see her until it was too late.”
Judge Eleri Rees said: “It goes without saying this had a devastating effect on her family and friends.”
She added: “Tydfil Jenkins was a much beloved grandmother and mother, described as the head of her family. I am conscious that no sentence I pass today can ever adequately reflect the loss to the family and their grief or restore her to them.”
Davies was jailed for four years and disqualified from driving for seven years and 49 weeks.