Dad doesn't know 'how or why' he killed nan on way home from gym

CHRISTINE JONES HAD BEEN RETURNING FROM PAYING A VISIT TO HER OWN MUM IN HOSPITAL WHEN SHE WAS FATALLY INJURED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH 14:50, 28 May 2025Updated 16:30, 28 May 2025 An armed forces

veteran who killed a great-grandmother in a crash "has no memory of how or why" he caused the fatal collision while driving home from the gym. Christine Jones died three days

after the car in which she was being carried as a passenger was struck by another vehicle on Thornton Common Road in Thornton Hough, Wirral. The 68-year-old had been returning from paying a

visit to her own mum in hospital at the time of the incident. Her stepdad Bryn Jones, who had been driving them home, was also seriously injured and spent more than two weeks in hospital. It

came after ex-Royal Navy engineer Ian Ashworth's car veered into their path and caused a head-on smash. But the dad was today spared an immediate prison sentence over the accident,

which remains largely unexplained. Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday that 81-year-old Mr Jones was driving his Ford Fiesta along the two-lane carriageway in the direction of Thornton

Hough at around 9pm on August 14, 2023 with Mrs Jones as his front seat passenger. The two had been returning home from Arrowe Park Hospital, where his long term partner and her mother

Brenda Jones had been admitted as an inpatient. Eric Lamb, prosecuting, described how Ashworth, of New Heyes in Neston, was meanwhile travelling in the opposite direction in his Peugeot 3008

at the same time. The following collision was not caught on camera or witnessed by any other persons, while both motorists have "no recollection" of the event. But, due to

markings left by the vehicles of the road surface, investigators concluded that the 62-year-old defendant's vehicle had "crossed the central divide into the oncoming

carriageway", resulting in an impact to the front off-side of both cars. No defects were found on either the Ford or the Peugeot, with neither motorist being "impaired by alcohol

or drugs" and no obstructions being noted in the highway. Mrs Jones was able to exit the vehicle following the crash, but the nan-of-11 and great grandma-of-three died in hospital three

days later due to "severe chest and abdominal injuries". Mr Jones also suffered fractures to his upper arm, collarbone and ribs and spent more than a fortnight in hospital.

Ashworth meanwhile sustained a fractured vertebrae, several broken ribs and a ruptured spleen. Under interview, he later told detectives that his "last recollection was being at traffic

lights" but "recalled a kerb sticking out" which "may have been a reason" for his car crossing into the path of the other vehicle. He however "expressed

remorse and asked for his apologies to be passed on". Darren Finnegan, defending, told the court: "He has asked me to express his profound remorse and how sorry he is to member of

the family who are present in court today. "Mr Ashworth has worked all of his life. He had joined the Royal Navy in 1980. He served in the Falklands as an engineer and left in 2002. He

currently works as a machinist for a local factory. He has one son who is 21 years of age, who he regularly goes mountain hiking with. "On the day in question, Mr Ashworth had been to

the gym. He had some food before leaving the gym and was driving to his ex-partner's house to housesit for her whilst her and their son went to Scotland for a holiday. "Mr Ashworth

has no memory of the collision itself. He recalls navigating a kerb through the village. He then remembers an exchange with the emergency crews extracting him from his vehicle. He has no

memory of how or why the collision occurred. "This must have been a split second, momentary lapse in concentration. There is no evidence of Mr Ashworth being distracted by his phone or

anything of that nature. "Mr Ashworth has no previous convictions. He is a man of good character. There is a character reference from his ex-partner. She describes him as being a kind,

generous, supportive person who has put the needs and wants of others before those of himself many times. "He has a good driving record. He is remorseful. He feels sorry for the Joneses

and was devastated to hear what happened to Mrs Jones. It was an instant which was entirely out of character for Mr Ashworth." Mr Finnegan detailed how Ashworth, who used a stick when

walking to the dock, had later suffered a broken neck after falling down the stairs, adding: "He has paid his own price for his actions. His injuries including a fractured vertebrae, a

ruptured spleen which had to be removed and broken ribs. He spent 16 or 17 days in hospital after the collision. "Mr Ashworth's brother, towards the end of last year, took his own

life. His brother's death followed that of his mother's death a few years earlier, a lady who Mr Ashworth had cared for. Only a few weeks ago, Mr Ashworth was the victim of a

serious assault when his ankle and arm were broken. Both injuries required surgery." Ashworth admitted causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving.

Appearing in the dock wearing a black suit over a white shirt and a tie emblazoned with a military crest, he showed no reaction as he was handed a 12-month imprisonment suspended for 18

months with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days. Members of Ms Jones' family were meanwhile seen embracing in the public gallery, with some having been in tears at

times during the hearing. Ashworth was also banned from driving for two years and will be required to pass an extended retest before being allowed back on the roads. Sentencing, Judge Robert

Trevor-Jones said: "I would like to state at the outset that this is a truly tragic case. A life has been lost and another gravely affected. No sentence I can pass today could ever

reflect such loss for the victim and their families. To them, I express my utmost sympathy. "Naturally, questions arise. Why? How? The fact is that very little is known. You have no

recollection of what happened. I accept that. Neither does Mr Bryn Jones. "There is no evidence of a loss of control. There were no deficiencies with either vehicle. No one was impaired

by alcohol or drugs. There is no indication that excess speed was a factor, and yet there you were on the opposite side. Article continues below "What has resulted here is an

incalculable loss in respect of many members of the family. The outstanding question is whether or not this must be served immediately or can it properly be suspended. "Factors in

favour of suspending the sentence is that there are clearly reasonable prospects of rehabilitation. You do not present a danger to the public and there is strong personal mitigation. I do

not consider, on balance, in all of the circumstances of this case, that immediate custody is demanded, and so the sentence will be suspended."