A woman convicted of manslaughter was jailed for three years yesterday after waving a 77-year-old cyclist into a fatal crash.
Auriol Grey, 49, was sentenced to three years in prison after she gestured to Celia Ward in a “hostile and aggressive way”, before Ward fell into the path of an oncoming car.
CCTV footage shows Grey shouting at Ward, a retired midwife, telling her to “get off the f****** pavement”.
Grey, who has cerebral palsy, denied manslaughter but was found guilty following a retrial at Peterborough Crown Court.
Judge Sean Enright, sentencing Grey to three years in prison, said “these actions are not explained by disability”.
He said that Grey had no mental disorder or learning difficulties and he said the pavement was 2.4 metres wide at the relevant point, describing it as a “shared path on the ring road”.
Speaking about his wife in a statement read to the court, Ward’s widower David said the footage “of Celia’s last moments will haunt me forever”.
He added: “Rarely a day goes by without thinking of her and our happy life together but I can so easily burst into tears, as I have on so many occasions.”
Auriol Grey, 49, was sentenced to three years in prison after she gestured to Celia Ward in a “hostile and aggressive way”, before Ward fell into the path of an oncoming car.
- Cambridgeshire Police
The couple met in 1965, and in their retirement enjoyed golf and travelling the world on cruise holidays.
The driver of the car, Carla Money, who was with her two-year-old daughter at the time, said that her life was “turned upside down” by what happened.
Miranda Moore KC, mitigating for Grey, said: “What happened took but a moment that has impacted on many.”
She said that Grey’s “present opinion is where the pavements are narrow the cyclists … should cycle on the road”.
Auriol Grey arriving at Peterborough Crown Court, Cambridgeshire
Joe Giddens
“There was no intention to cause harm or an obvious risk of harm,” she said.
She said witnesses had said that Grey “seemed childlike”, and that she lived in adapted special accommodation.
After the judge passed his sentence on Thursday, Moore indicated that an appeal would be submitted against this and a request for bail would be made. Detective Sergeant Mark Dollard, who investigated, said: “This is a difficult and tragic case.
“Everyone will have their own views of cyclists on pavements and cycleways, but what is clear is Grey’s response to the presence of Celia on a pedal cycle was totally disproportionate and ultimately found to be unlawful, resulting in Celia’s untimely and needless death.
“I am pleased with the verdict and hope it is a stark reminder to all road users to take care and be considerate to each other.
Celia Ward, pictured with her husband David
PA
“I want to take the time to acknowledge Celia’s family and thank them for their patience and dignity throughout the entirety of the investigation and trial.”
In a statement released through police after sentencing, Mr Ward said: “After 53 years of happy marriage, Celia was taken from me in a most horrific way, leaving me with my memories.
“She was kind, calm, careful, cheerful and competent in all that she did.
“Her death has caused me great suffering. We relied on each other, shared the same sense of humour and outlook on life, and enjoyed each other’s company.
“I miss her terribly.”
Her daughter Gillian added in a statement released through police: “Celia Ward was my mum, mother-in-law to my husband and much-loved grandmother to my son, but most importantly, the love of my father’s life.
“Her untimely death has turned our world on its head and there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t wish I could pick up the phone to ask her advice, celebrate the special events in our lives or just tell her how much I love her.
“It’s easy to say how wonderful my mum was… she was passionate about her family and always there to help and support us.
“She was of a generation that made and mended, kept a spotless house and always put others first.
“Her death has marred what should have been some of the most enjoyable times for us as a family.
“We can never forget the past two-and-a-half years, but it’s now time to start remembering the wonderful memories and times we had with mum, and hopefully find some peace.”
