This is the cowardly moment a cyclist rode off after knocking into an elderly woman who hit her head on the pavement and died days later. The horrific collision between Stewart McGinn and Elizabeth Jayne Stone was caught on CCTV which has been released by the Crown Prosecution Service with permission from Ms Stone's family.
Ms Stone, known to her friends as Jayne, suffered a fractured skull as a result of the crash in Monmouth on June 7 last year. The 79-year-old died in hospital on June 11 as a result of her injuries.
McGinn, 29, only handed himself into police on June 17 after seeing a police appeal on Facebook and identified himself as the cyclist. He lied to police saying he had stopped to help Ms Stone to her feet and check she was alright, but the footage clearly shows him failing to break his stride and riding off immediately.
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The defendant, of Troy Way, Monmouth, pleaded guilty to causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving and was jailed for 12 months at a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday. He was also banned from driving for two-and-a-half years.
The court heard Ms Stone had been out with some friends for a meal and the cinema when she and friend Janet 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. She died on June 11 at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Her brother David Bruton read out a victim personal statement in court which said his sister was not a "frail old lady" but was healthy and physically active. He said Ms Stone had abseiled down St Thomas' Church in Monmouth, of which she was a member, and enjoyed long walks, swimming and yoga.
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."
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