Driver who caused OAP death gets road ban and work order
A DRIVER who knocked down and killed a pensioner as he crossed the road has been given a 12-month community order.
David Howells had been out for a pre-Christmas drink with his brother when he was hit near the Argos store in Swansea city centre.
Passers-by rushed to his aid, but the 77-year-old former Addis worker could not be saved.
Ponkumar Magentheraja, aged 35, of St Helen’s Road in Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when he appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court for sentencing
Linda Baker, prosecuting, said on the night of December 16 last year Mr Howells, from Manselton, had been out in the city centre with his brother.
They later went their separate ways.
At around 10.30pm Mr Howells was the last of four people crossing Welcome Lane at its junction with High Street and College Street while the “red man” pedestrian crossing light was showing.
At the same time, Magentheraja was driving home after finishing work as a takeaway delivery driver – he was third or fourth in a line of traffic entering the junction from College Street.
The court heard the car in front of Magentheraja turned right, while the defendant went straight on into Welcome Lane – hitting Mr Howells.
Passers-by gave the pensioner first aid, but he later died.
The prosecutor said though it was dark at the time of the collision, the area was well lit with street lights and the driver should have seen Mr Howells.
In his police statement Magentheraja said he hadn’t seen the pedestrian until a “millisecond” before he hit him.
Solicitor Anthony O’Connell, for Magentheraja, said his client was full of remorse.
Magentheraja was given a 12month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work, and was disqualified from driving for three years. He must also pay £85 towards prosecution costs, and an £85 court surcharge.