Driver denies playing a role in fatal crash

A YOUNG driver accused of causing a mother’s death went to a nightclub hours after a car crash, a court has heard.

Joseph Fettah, 20, gave evidence at his trial at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday where he claimed his actions did not contribute to the death of Jenna Miller, 30.

A collision took place on Cardiff Road, Barry, on September 27 last year. Mother-of-two Ms Miller, originally from Maesteg, died from her injuries. The incident took place on the A4055 just after 9pm when Ms Miller’s car was hit from the side by an Audi A5 driven by Jamie Oaten.

Oaten, 24, from Barry, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Fettah, of Maes Y Gwenyn, Rhoose, denies the charge.

On the day of the crash, Fettah, who worked for his father’s security firm, said he was driving a Volkswagen Golf, a company car which his father asked him to take to Broad Street Motors to have its tyres changed.

The court heard the Volkswagen pulled up behind the Audi at traffic lights. Defending, Gregg Bull asked Fettah if he wished or intended to race with the Audi. He replied: “No.”

Mr Bull asked: “Plainly you drove off and your speed accelerated. Do you accept you were travelling the sort of speeds that were alleged?” Fettah said: “Yes.”

When asked to describe the runup to the collision, Fettah said: “I saw the Audi brake which caused me to brake sharply.”

After the collision, Fettah said he drove his car to Broad Street Motors, where a friend offered him a lift home. The court heard Fettah went to Glam nightclub in Cardiff that night but went home early as he felt “shocked” about the crash. He was arrested the next day. Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said: “What we have here, Mr Fettah, is you having identified at the lights in front of you was another powerful car and you just slapped on the accelerator as hard as you could...

“The only reason you didn’t hang around to speak to the police was because you knew full well ... that you had your part to play in Ms Miller’s death just as much as Oaten.”

The trial continues.