Husband whose 'life was 'nothing' without his wife died three months after she was killed in crash

Wales Online

09-05-2025

Husband whose 'life was 'nothing' without his wife died three months after she was killed in crash
Pauline Williams, 79, suffered a fatal head injury after Raymond Charles, 79, drove into the back of the car she was travelling in. Mrs Williams' husband survived, but died a few months later in unrelated circumstances
The A4042 at New Inn, near Pontypool.
(Image: Google Streetview )
The husband of a grandmother killed in a crash died just three months after his wife. They were described as a "loving couple" by their family who went everywhere together.
Pauline Williams, 79, died in a collision between a Peugeot 3008, driven by Raymond Charles, 79, and the Ford Fusion she was travelling in through New Inn near Pontypool at 11.47am on August 7, 2023. She suffered a catastrophic head injury and was later pronounced dead in hospital.
‌
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard police received a report from an officer about a collision on the southbound carriageway of the A4042 and traffic had come to a standstill. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
‌
It later transpired that Charles' car had collided with the rear of the Ford Fusion driven by Brian Williams with his wife Pauline in the front passenger seat.
Mr Williams' car had slowed down while approaching a roundabout but Charles failed to adjust his speed or brake, causing him to crash into the back of the victims' car.
Mrs Williams suffered a fatal head injury which led to her going into cardiac arrest. She was taken to Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran where she was pronounced dead at 3.30pm.
Article continues below
As a result of his injuries, Mr Williams spent five weeks in hospital having suffered four broken ribs, burns to his forehead and arm, temporary loss of mobility in his leg and arms and pain to his hip, knee and shoulder.
Three months after Mrs Williams' death, Mr Williams died of natural causes while undergoing surgery related to the removal of cancer from his kidney.
Charles, of The Woodlands, Talywain, was interviewed and said he couldn't recall the cause of the collision and the vehicle appeared in front of him suddenly.
‌
The defendant later pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. The court heard he was of previous good character.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Byron Broadstock, Mr and Mrs Williams' son Daniel Williams said his mother had met his father in 1963 and were married in 1964.
She worked as a chemist in a laboratory before having three children - Daniel, Helen and Alison, and went on to have five grandchildren.
‌
Daniel Williams added: "She devoted herself to us and whatever she did was guaranteed to be with my dad. She enjoyed travelling abroad two or three times a year with friends.
"She enjoyed being our mother and was always there when we left for school and when we got home. I couldn't ask for anything more from my mother. She had a dry, witty sense of humour, you couldn't always tell if she was joking or not but she was cheeky with it.
"She was straight-laced and wouldn't take any nonsense. She was a well-liked individual and since her death thousands of people have come forward to us. She had five grandchildren and she loved cooking with them and making a mess. They have brilliant memories with her and miss her dearly...
‌
"The way in which mum died left the family completely numb. I have flashbacks of her and thoughts of her receiving CPR are upsetting. The sheer brutality of it, the call from the emergency services. We thought mum would pass away in her own bed in her own home, not on the side of the road receiving treatment."
In a further statement on behalf of the family, daughter Alison Rogers said: "Our parents were such lovely people who were well known in the community. Everyone who spoke to us who knew them says there's a massive hole where they once were. They are still shocked and upset.
"Mum and dad were a proper loving couple, where there was one there was the other. Mum was a beautiful person, full of smiles and did a brilliant job bringing us up.
‌
"Mum's sudden death was extremely difficult. Dad was a jolly and lively person but he changed to the exact opposite. Life was nothing without mum. He tried hard to get through but he was not strong enough...
"When something like this happens you don't get over it, you try to come to terms with it... After catastrophic actions like this it's difficult to put into words. All we can say is our hearts have been pulled out.
"We hold no grudge against Mr Charles, he didn't go out that day to cause the accident. We're sure not just him but his family too have suffered greatly. We hope a custody sentence is not imposed as those involved have suffered enough. We hope Mr Charles can move on with his life."
‌
In mitigation, Nigel Fryer said his client had expressed profound remorse and condolences to the family of Mr and Mrs Williams and that he lived with what had happened every day of his life.
The barrister said Charles was well supported by his family and was considered a "thoroughly decent man" who goes out of his way to help others in the community. The defendant has been married for 54 years and acts as a carer for his wife, despite having health issues for himself.
Sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison said: "What happened on August 7, 2023, was truly a tragedy. Mrs Williams was a much loved wife, mother and grandmother who sadly lost her life. Mr Williams sustained serious injuries and in the last months of his life he would have been dealing with physical trauma and the loss of his wife before passing away shortly thereafter.
Article continues below
"Their children and grandchildren have gone through a double tragedy and this has been somewhat of a tragedy for you Mr Charles... You're living with the knowledge your careless driving caused the death of Mrs Williams, so much loved by her family and friends, and serious injury to Brian Williams and what he went through."
Charles was sentenced to 21 weeks imprisonment suspended for one year. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.