DEATH CRASH DRIVER HADN’T DE-MISTED GREAT-GRAN, HIS VAN

Man unaware he had struck 85

A MUCH-LOVED great-grandmother was knocked down and killed by a driver who had not properly de-misted his van windscreen, a court heard. Valerie Mannu was hit and run over by a pick-up truck as she walked to a hair appointment near her home.

A MUCH-LOVED greatgrandmother was knocked down and killed by a driver who had not properly de-misted his van windscreen, a court has heard.

Valerie Mannu was hit and run over by a pick-up truck as she walked to a hair appointment near her home.

The driver, Simon Mayber Poland, drove away from the collision, unaware he had hit anybody.

Swansea Crown Court heard the case should serve as a warning to all motorists of the importance of ensuring their windscreen is fully demisted and defrosted before setting off – for to do otherwise is to “dice with death”.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, said that at around 10am on November 8 last year, 85-year-old Mrs Mannu set off from home on Caernarvon Way in Bonymaen to walk to a nearby hair appoinment.

At the same time Simon Mayber Poland was leaving his home on neighbouring Chepstow Place in his VW Aamrok pick-up.

As the 54-year-old pulled onto Caernarvon Way from the car park at the end of Chepstow Place he struck the pensioner, and then seemingly ran over her before driving away.

The court heard the collision itself was not witnessed, but a scaffolder working on a nearby house heard “wheels screeching” and when he looked around saw a VW Amarok driving off along Caernarvon Way, and what he initially thought was a child laying at the junction.

Miss Powell said a motorist on the street moments after the collision reported seeing a pick-up truck passing her with its front window “completely misted up” such that she could not see the driver inside.

The court heard passing motorists and pedestrians rushed to Mrs Mannu’s aid, one getting a blanket and pillow from her car, and another holding her hand.

The casualty was conscious and alert – even asking one of the Good Samaritans if she would cancel her hair appointment for her.

The great-grandmother described being knocked to the ground and then being driven over.

Mrs Mannu was rushed to Morriston Hospital where a scan revealed a head wound, neck and arm fractures, multiple rib fractures and multiple fractures to the pelvis.

The prosecutor said as her blood pressure continued to fall and her condition deteriorated, medics agreed that given the patient’s age her injuries were not survivable, and the best they could do was to manage her final hours. She died that afternoon. Meanwhile, police had traced the owner of the VW to his place of work – Simon and Jason’s tyre garage in Uplands, Swansea.

When questioned by police he told them he had felt a “bump” at the junction on Caernarvon Way but had not seen a person nearby, and denied hitting anyone.

Poland, of Chepstow Place, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

Catherine Richards, for Poland, said her client accepted he had failed to completely clear his windscreen on the morning in question.

She said the defendant was a devoted family man who “feels very keenly” the devastation his victim’s family must be experiencing, and is himself a carer for his elderly mother.

Judge Geraint Walters said the case was a stark reminder of how there was “no room for complacency when taking to the roads”.

Poland was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, and must abide by an electronically monitored nighttime curfew for the next eight weeks.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years, and must pass an extended test before he can get his licence back.