Caldicot man jailed for killing cyclist

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Friday, 2 October 2020 07:50

© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

A Monmouthshire man has been jailed for causing the death of a cyclist by careless driving.

38-year-old Craig Howick was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court this week.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and perverting the course of justice.

Officers responded to a report of an injured cyclist on the B4245 between Rogiet and Undy on August 5, 2019, shortly after 7pm. The cyclist, 47-year-old Alex Roberts, was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries on September 21, 2019.

Mr Roberts was cycling home to Undy from Severn Tunnel Junction train station when the collision took place.

The defendant, who was driving an Audi A4, failed to stop at the scene.

Enquiries carried out by the collision investigation unit found a windscreen weather strip belonging to an Audi A4 at the scene.

Howick was arrested on August 9, 2019 after his car was involved in another collision, on August 7. The car was examined by officers who found the windscreen weather strip was missing.

He was jailed for 42 months.

PC Gerwyn Harris, from the collision investigation unit, said: “The family of Alex Roberts have shown considerable strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“A cycle ride home from work ended in tragedy for Mr Roberts' family due to Howick’s actions. The family of Mr Roberts along with Gwent Police wish to express their gratitude to the off-duty nurse who stopped at the scene to help Mr Roberts.

“The defendant repeatedly denied he had been in a collision with a cyclist in his police interview. The evidence pointed at Howick purposely damaging his car by driving through a hedge in an attempt to cover the damage from the collision involving Mr Roberts.

“This was a blatant attempt to avoid prosecution and Howick will have to spend the rest of his life with the knowledge that his driving has resulted in the death of Mr Roberts.”