Daniel Barry Coburn’s Ford Transit drop side truck ploughed into Bethan Fraser-Andrews’s Kia Picanto, killing her instantly on the the A120 near Standon Hill, Herts.
A coked-up trucker who engaged in sex acts while behind the wheel has been jailed for causing the death of a “devoted” gran. Daniel Barry Coburn’s Ford Transit drop side truck ploughed into Bethan Fraser-Andrews’s Kia Picanto, killing her instantly.
Mum-of-three Bethan, 81, had been on the way to a family celebration on August 5 when Coburn’s van veered onto the wrong side of the A120 near Standon Hill, Herts., and collided with her car. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Selfish” Coburn was found to have been using his phone to engage in sexual acts and conversations while driving. He was also over the limit for alcohol, cocaine and MDMA, St Albans Crown Court heard.
Judge Sheridan told the court that this was one of the “worst cases of dangerous driving he had seen”. He told Coburn: “I sit here today looking at three heartbroken children who should never have to have suffered the loss of their mother.
“You should never have been behind the wheel of any vehicle, let alone a commercial vehicle while intoxicated through alcohol and drugs.”
Coburn, from Chelmsford, Essex, initially pleaded not guilty but at a later case management hearing he admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed for nine years and seven months and banned from driving for 13 years.
In a statement released after sentencing, Bethan’s heartbroken daughter Elisabeth said: “We are still coming to terms with the fact that she is gone.
“She was very active, and she had many varied interests, she played tennis the day before she died, she walked, went bird spotting, enjoyed painting and sang in local choirs. Her calendar when she died was full of things she was looking forward to including a tennis tournament and looking after our dogs.”
Bethan’s son James said: “Mum was devoted to her family, and we were devoted to her. She was killed on her way to do what she did best. To be a loving mother and grandmother, to spend time with those she loved and who now will never enjoy her uniquely funny insights, her laughter and her energetic zest for life that was undimmed even at 81 years of age.”
Detective Constable Dale Morris, from Hertfordshire Police, said: “Coburn’s selfish and dangerous actions have torn a mother and grandmother away from her family.
“On the day of the collision Bethan was on her way to meet her family for a belated celebration. Coburn’s driving was highly dangerous, and it was evident he had no thought or consideration for anyone around him.”
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