Family forgive van driver who killed grandad
JOINER ‘DIDN’T SEE’ PENSIONER AS HE CROSSED ROAD
THE family of a former merchant seaman who was knocked down and killed by a van driver say they bare ‘no ill will’ towards him – after he walked free from court.
Grandfather Maurice Brady, 86, died after being hit by a Vauxhall Astra van being driven by selfemployed joiner Anthony Berry, who was ‘inattentive’ at the wheel.
Manchester Crown Court heard that Berry was travelling at 36mph, which was over the speed limit in the 30mph zone in Worsley Road, Swinton, Salford.
Mr Brady, who had been crossing the road outside the White Swan pub, suffered a heart attack and multiple injuries and later died in hospital.
Maria Brannan, prosecuting, told how Mr Brady was fit and well man despite his age, and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease which had not significantly taken hold on his life.
Earlier that day he had been visited by his son, who encouraged him to go out and socialise with friends in the pub.
At about 7.35pm on October 22 last year, Mr Brady left the White Swan pub and crossed the road, only having had one drink.
Although it was dark, the road was well lit and Mr Brady would have been ‘very visible’ to oncoming traffic, the prosecutor added.
The court heard Berry spotted Mr Brady but it was too late. He slammed on the brakes and swerved to try to avoid him.
Berry, 57, stopped at the scene and rang the ambulance, phoning 999 again after there was a ‘considerable delay’ waiting for paramedics. The court was told that it was decided that Mr Brady’s life support machine should be turned off when it became clear there was no realistic prospect of his recovery.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Brady’s son Mark told of the agony he faced at facing that decision.
But Mr Brady added: “As a family we bare no ill will to Mr Berry and appreciate that he did not set out that day to be involved in a tragic accident. We are sure this has had a devastating impact on his family just as it has on our family.”
Jason Pegg, defending, said Berry, of Lichfield Drive, Swinton, has shown genuine remorse and has been haunted by what happened. Mr Pegg said: “He still struggles to understand why he did not see Mr Brady when driving. He is tormented by the fact he didn’t see Mr Brady sooner.”
Judge Richard Mansell QC said Berry was on the ‘cusp of prison,’ but sentenced him to a community order.
Berry, who pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by careless driving, must complete 240 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 12 months.
Judge Mansell said: “No sentence this court can pass today could ever undo the damage done on that night last year.”
Mr Brady joined the merchant navy aged 17, and later ran a greengrocers and chip shop with his late wife Margaret.
In a tribute issued at the time, Mr Brady’s family said: “He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. He was an ex merchant seaman who lived all his life in Salford. His ability to talk to anyone and regale his stories meant he had many friends in the local pubs, who looked out for him in his later years, for which we are very grateful. He is now on his final voyage.”