Veteran reversing out of driveway hit oap pedestrian who later died in hospital

A man reversing out of his driveway didn't see a 91-year-old pedestrian. Ian Williams, 65, thought his Ford Kuga's rear sensors were sounding because of the passing cars on

Grangefield Road, as he continued reversing. Williams hit Gerald Carbro, who was walking on the pavement with his zimmer frame, in front of Williams' home. The pensioner was knocked to

the ground on the afternoon of Saturday, November 25, 2023. He was taken to hospital with a gaping wound to his lower leg possibly caused by the car tyre, Teesside Crown Court heard. Mr

Carbro was given a blood transfusion at the University Hopsital of North Tees in Stockton for anaemia. His family were hopeful that he would recover quickly, but a scan revealed there was a

collection of fluid between his lungs and chest. Mr Carbro caught an infection, deteriorated in hospital and was put on end-of-life care. He died less than a month after the accident, on

December 19, 2023. A post mortem found that the most significant cause of the pensioner's death was his pre-existing heart disease. But the report noted that the wound on his leg was

"long and deep and bled profusely - and may have led to the anaemia." Pathologist Dr. Nigel Cooper stated that while this would not have been life-threatening in a younger, fitter

person, it did contribute to Mr Carbro's death. Williams was charged with causing death by careless driving. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, in April. On Monday, the army

veteran, who served with The Green Howards for 18 years, stood in the dock waiting to be sentenced. The court heard that Mr Carbro was a widower, who had three children. A statement from his

daughter Lesley was read out - she said that her dad had spent his whole life in Stockton, where he worked as a bricklayer. "He loved what he did and he did it with such pride,"

Ms Carbro said. "Dad would drive around Stockton and point out buildings he had worked on. He was devoted to his family and besotted with our mum." Mr Carbro's daughter said

that when her dad retired, he spent his time in the garden, growing vegetables and flowers, adding "if he had his choice, he would sleep in his shed." Lesley Carbro wrote that she

had "no malice" towards Williams. She said: "I do not believe he had any intention that day to cause any harm to anyone." In mitigation, Stephen Constantine told the

court that Williams described the collision "as incompetence on his part." Mr Constantine said that Williams, who is now retired, has never been in trouble with the police before,

and that "he has borne this burden for a considerable time, before coming to court." The court heard that Williams' wife of 38 years, has had to return to work to pay his

legal bill to be represented in court. Williams has medical issues and is now dependent on his wife to drive him to hospital. Since the accident, the couple have had their driveway widened

so that his wife can turnaround on it and will never have to reverse out onto Grangefield Road. Judge Francis Laird told Williams that he accepted he was a man of "impeccable

character" - but that he had not looked in his rear view mirrors with sufficient care, prior to reversing, and he had ignored the rear sensor warning. "I have to sentence you for

taking the life of another man," the judge continued. "This court could justify a short sentence in your case. The sentence would be reduced to reflect your substantial mitigation

and would then be suspended. I consider the public would be better served if I pass a community sentence." Williams was handed a two-year court order with 10-rehabilitation days. He was

disqualified from driving for 12 months. The judge limited court costs to £250, which Williams will pay at £20 a month. FOR DAILY NEWS FROM TEESSIDE'S COURTS DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX, GO

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