Iceland delivery driver walks free from court after causing death of great-grandmother

Nicholas Tombs hit 88-year-old Phyllis Fielding in Lawnswood Road, Wordsley, as she was crossing the road. She died in hospital as a result of ‘catastrophic injuries’.

Tombs, of Grove Crescent, Brierley Hill, was driving at 19mph in the 30mph zone, away from the A491 High Street, when he reached a bend on September 8 last year.

Mrs Fielding had left a hairdressing appointment and was crossing when Tombs crashed into her at about 1.30pm.

Mr Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court: “Mrs Fielding was thrown upwards and forwards into the gutter, the defendant stopped immediately, got out and called the emergency services.

Severe

“Mrs Fielding suffered injuries so severe that she died four hours later at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The cause of death was confirmed as a result of the collision having caused unsurvivable injuries.”

Mr Ahuja said that had Tombs been paying ‘proper attention’ to the road he would have been able to stop earlier. Mr Lee Marklew, defending, said a sat nav on the windscreen caused an ‘impediment’ to his view.

He added: “The accident was borne from a lack of vigilance, he was conscious of a blind bend before the crash and was ironically trying to do his best to stay out of trouble.”

Judge James Burbidge QC told Tombs: “The harsh reality of this tragic case is that you failed to see Mrs Fielding and you should have been able to see her. She suffered catastrophic injuries.”

Tombs, aged 32, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Yesterday he was sentenced to an 18 month community order, 15 days of rehabilitation and 250 hours of unpaid work. He was also given a two-year driving ban.