A cyclist killed an elderly woman after he collided with her at speed as she walked on the pavement and callously rode off. Elizabeth Jayne Stone suffered a fractured skull after being knocked off her feet and died days later in hospital.
Stewart McGinn did not check to see if the 79-year-old was injured after he crashed into her in Monmouth on June 7 last year despite her friend pleading with the cyclist to stop. He handed himself into police after seeing an appeal after Ms Stone's death.
The victim's family spoke of their "devastation" after the great-aunty was killed in a "senseless and unnecessary" incident. They said up until her untimely death she led an active life and was a huge presence in the community.
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Harrowing CCTV footage showed the moment McGinn, 29, mounted the pavement and hit Ms Stone as she walked home with friend Janet Bromley from a trip to the cinema. He lied to police and claimed he had stopped and helped her to her feet before riding off but the footage proved he carried on riding without looking back.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard Ms Stone had been out with some friends for a meal and the cinema when she and Ms Bromley were walking along Wonastow Road back to their respective homes shortly before 10pm. Describing the collision, prosecutor James Wilson said: "The defendant appeared on his bicycle coming from Somerset Road on the pavement. Ms Bromley said he had a dark hooded top on with the hood over his head.
"Ms Bromley said 'I can remember seeing the cyclist's face was full of horror as he was slightly hunched over his bicycle'. He was riding far too fast to be on the pavement and (Ms Bromley) did not recall any lights or warning from the defendant.
"She shouted 'Oh my goodness' and stepped forward into the mouth of the junction leaving Jayne behind her. The defendant passed her with speed and collided with Jayne's body. The impact of that was so severe it made her hands rise forward past her body as her body was pushed back violently. (Ms Bromley) recalled Jayne's feet being lifted off the ground and caused her to poleaxe on the ground and heard an almighty crack as her head struck the pavement."
McGinn remained in control of the bike but cycled off as Ms Bromley shouted "I'm on my own, please stop, come back and help". When she checked on Ms Stone, she could see her friend's eyes rolling and her mouth frothing.
A police community support officer was the first of the emergency services to arrive at the scene. Ms Stone was conscious but in distress and the officer noticed dry blood beneath her crown. Paramedics arrived and saw the victim had sustained a severe head injury.
Ms Stone was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but never recovered from her injuries and died in the early hours of June 11. Her brother David Bruton read out a victim personal statement in court, which said: "Nothing can prepare you for receiving a phone call in the middle of the night from a police officer informing you your sister has been knocked down and received a life threatening injury. Likewise we can't imagine the trauma and distress of Jayne's friend Janet who was thankfully with her at the time of the incident trying to comfort Jayne while the defendant cycled away not waiting for the emergency services to arrive."
Mr Bruton said his sister was not a "frail old lady" but was healthy and physically active. He said she had abseiled down St Thomas' Church in Monmouth, of which she was a member, and enjoyed long walks, swimming and yoga. He added: "She loved to follow the lives of her great nieces and nephews who miss her greatly. At Christmas, a time of joy and celebration, we face an empty chair at the dining table, a poignant reminder of her loss."
The victim's niece Helen Bruton said her aunt "exemplified her Christian faith for community service". She described her as a "powerful life force" who loved life and lived life to the fullest. She added: "It seems unimaginable she's gone."
McGinn, of Troy Way, Monmouth, handed himself into police on June 17 after he saw a police appeal on Facebook. He told them he was the cyclist involved in the collision but claimed he had stopped to help Ms Stone to her feet before leaving. He also initially denied riding on the pavement. The defendant claimed he had lights on his bike but only had one working brake.
He later pleaded guilty to causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving. Defence barrister Ben Waters said his client expressed "remorse and sorrow" for causing Ms Stone's death and acknowledged he had left the scene after suffering from shock and panic. The barrister said the defendant lived with his partner and four children, who would suffer if he was sent to prison.
Sentencing, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: "Your reckless behaviour that day resulted in Jayne Stone suffering a very serious injury which tragically proved fatal. This was not momentary inattention, you made a deliberate decision to ride upon the pavement where you knew you would not be able to see anyone around the corner.
"You were riding too fast to avoid a collision with one working break and no lights. You fled the scene despite realising Ms Stone was badly hurt and heard her head striking the floor, that was a cowardly thing to do.
"You bear responsibility for having ended someone's life and no sentence passed by this court can reflect what you have done... Ms Stone was very much loved by her family and friends and someone who gave her time and energy to helping others. Her loss will be felt by many people for a long time and the court offers its sincerest condolences to her friend and family."
McGinn was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, of which he will serve half before he is released on licence. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and six months.
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