A MAN from Colwyn Bay whose dangerous driving caused the death of a pensioner from Rhyl has been jailed.

Lee Jones, 35, of Ffordd Bugail, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court today (April 25).

He was responsible for the death of Patrick McDonald, who died aged 82 on October 22, 2022.

He had previously admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

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Prosecuting, James Coutts told the court that, shortly after 9.30am on October 21, 2022 on Church Street, Rhyl, Mr McDonald was walking to the White Rose Shopping Centre.

Jones was driving a white Citroen delivery van which had been stationary, but then reversed at speed the wrong way down the one-way street.

When Jones realised his vehicle had struck Mr McDonald, he stopped the van immediately and went to his assistance.

Jones was working as a delivery driver for DPD - he told police that, although he'd been driving the van for a year or so, he had never done a delivery to Rhyl before, and was unfamiliar with the area.

Shortly before the incident, he had attempted to deliver a parcel to the New Look store.

Mistakenly, he drove too far down Church Street and into a loading bay.

A witness heard the sound of vehicle reversing "much louder than normal" and saw the van reversing contrary to the one-way system.

She said the sound "got louder", and that it appeared to her that the van driver was "in a hurry".

When approximately halfway across the road, Mr McDonald became aware of the van reversing towards him.

He increased his walking pace but was struck by the van.

Jones stopped his vehicle and got out, attempted to provide first aid to Mr McDonald, remained at the scene, and waited for paramedics and police to arrive.

He told police he hadn’t seen Mr McDonald, saying he was "in my blind spot".

Jones acknowledged he knew Church Street was a one-way street, but denied his manoeuvre was dangerous.

He believed he had checked his mirrors, and said he was "deeply sorry for what had happened".

Dawn McDonald, Mr McDonald's daughter, said in a statement: "The death of my father resulted directly because of the actions of this driver.

"Every day, I would speak with him, either in person or on the phone. My father should still be here with me today. I miss my father so much. I'm forever grateful to have had him in my life.

"I feel lost at sea without him here, and it feels like I have a massive hole that can never be filled.

"My father was taken away from us by the actions of this driver. He is the only one responsible for my father's death."

Katie Jones, Mr McDonald's granddaughter, labelled Jones' offence a "selfish act".

She added: "My grandad was a lovely, warm-hearted man. He was healthy and dedicated to my mum and his family.

"My grandad was unable to meet some of his great-grandchildren, which has made me so heartbroken."

Amy Jones, another of Mr McDonald's granddaughters, added: "I've lost my grandad and I miss him very much, being able to pop to his house and sat and chat with him any time.

"That man has ripped a big part of our family away. We all miss him deeply. We all, as a family, get very angry about what had happened that day.

“There is no laughter anymore, funny stories, or words of wisdom."

Defending Jones, who had no previous convictions or licence endorsements, Simon Rogers said he "fully understands that, as a result of his actions, Patrick McDonald lost his life".

There is no suggestion that Jones was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or was using a mobile device at the time, Mr Rogers said.

Jones stopped his vehicle immediately after the crash, put Mr McDonald in the recovery position, went to a nearby house to summon help, and contacted emergency services.

"At no stage while he was at the scene did he suggest or imply that he was not the driver of the vehicle," Mr Rogers added.

Jones, a father, has not driven since the incident and suffers from severe anxiety.

Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands also disqualified Jones from driving for six years and nine months.

He must then pass an extended re-test before he can be allowed back on the roads.

Jones will also pay a statutory surcharge upon his release from prison.

Judge Rowlands told him: "It wasn’t just a foolish or irresponsible thing to do, but something which was plainly very dangerous.

"It was fraught with risk, as tragically transpired to be the case.

"It is entirely clear that Mr McDonald didn’t contribute to this accident at all," Judge Rowlands has added.

"As a result, his family and friends have lost a truly decent man, about whom nothing but praise and kind words have been written.

"This was an accident which could so easily have been avoided if you had paid proper attention to what you were doing," Judge Rowlands added.

"Ultimately, this was an accident, albeit one with the most dreadful consequences."