Gran killed by driver with misted windscreen

A MUCH-LOVED great-grandmother was knocked down and killed by a driver who had not properly demisted his 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.

Simon Mayber Poland drove away from the collision, unaware he had hit anybody, Swansea Crown Court heard.

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 appointment. At the same time Simon Mayber Poland was leaving his home on neighbouring Chepstow Place in his VW Aamrok pickup.

As the 54-year-old pulled onto Caernarvon Way from the car park at the end of Chepstow Place he struck the pensioner.

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”.

The court heard passing motorists and pedestrians rushed to Mrs Mannu’s aid. 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 her age her injuries were not survivable, and the best they could do was to manage her final hours. She died that afternoon.

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.

She said he 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.

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 night-time curfew for eight weeks.

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