Dylan Edmunds, 27, from Mountain Ash, has been sentenced to 54 weeks in custody after killing 76-year-old Wendy Setterfield when he reversed into her as she walked home from bingo on Church Street in Penrhiwceiber.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that on November 24, 2022, Edmunds was driving his blue Ford Focus when he stopped at the junction with Winifred Street before reversing. He struck Ms Setterfield, who was crossing the road, and partially ran her over.
Heath Edwards, prosecuting, told the court: “Had she been seen, the tragic consequences would’ve been avoided.”
After feeling a “bump”, Edmunds got out and saw a person lying on the floor but fled the scene and went to join friends at the Jeffrey Arms pub. He was later arrested with no traces of alcohol or drugs found in his blood. Ms Setterfield was pronounced dead at 8.45pm.
Her son Steven Setterfield said in a victim impact statement: “I was out with friends when I received the news I didn’t think I would hear for 20 years. I didn’t believe it. I could see what I thought was a pile of blankets in the pouring rain. This small little woman, full of life, reduced to a pile of blankets.”
Granddaughter Anna Setterfield added: “I could not shake the feeling that he was living a normal life while we were suffering.”
Defence barrister Hashim Salmman said his client’s remorse was genuine and he “bitterly regrets” leaving the scene. He explained it had been a “momentary lapse in concentration” in dark and poor weather conditions, and that Edmunds suffers with autism which may have influenced his decision to flee.
Ms Setterfield was described by her family as a “charismatic, kind-hearted and sociable” woman and a “beloved mother and grandmother”.
Judge James sentenced Edmunds, who pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, saying: “It appears that [the victim] was active and leading an independent life and loved by all those around her. No sentence can make up for the tragic loss to her family and friends.”
Edmunds was also disqualified from driving for two years. đźš—
