‘Beautiful' Pontypool grandmother tragically died in crash

South Wales Argus

09-05-2025

Pauline Williams, 79, died following the collision on the A4042 dual carriageway in Pontypool between the McDonald's and New Inn roundabouts.
Her husband of 58 years Brian Williams was taken to hospital with serious injuries and passed away three months later of natural causes.
Raymond Charles was driving a Peugeot 308 with his wife Susan Charles in the passenger seat when he went into the back of the Ford Fusion in which Mr Williams was at the wheel and his wife beside him in the front passenger seat.
Byron Broadstock, prosecuting, told Newport Crown Court: 'The defendant failed to adjust his speed and his vehicle collided with the victims.
'He had not applied his brakes – there were no marks on the road.
'We cannot say he was using excessive speed.
'It is the Crown's case that he failed to apply his brakes to the traffic ahead of him.'
Charles, 79, of The Woodlands, Talywain, Pontypool pleaded guilty to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving and causing serious injury by careless/inconsiderate driving.
The crash occurred at 11.47am on Monday, August 7, 2023.
Of his last three months alive, Mr Williams, from Talywain, spent five weeks of them in hospital being treated for injuries which included four broken ribs and burns to his head as well as suffering 'significant pain to his knee, hip and shoulder".
In moving victim impact statements, Mr and Mrs Williams' children David, Helen and Alison paid tribute to them.
'Mum and Dad were such lovely people and were well known in the community,' they said.
Described as a "devoted mother" and someone who had a dry sense of humour, Mrs Williams had worked as a chemist in a laboratory and later as a Co-op store assistant.
Mr Williams had been a keen cricketer in his younger years and his wife would come and watch him and help make tea for the players.
'Mum was such a beautiful person and Dad's life was nothing without Mum,' they added.
'Our hearts have been ripped out.
'We hold no grudge against Raymond Charles.
'I'm sure he and his family have suffered too.'
The family urged the judge not to send the defendant to prison.
Nigel Fryer, mitigating, said his client wanted to pass his condolences on to the family and told the court he would have to live with what he had done.
His barrister said: 'He simply didn't see the vehicle and that lack of concentration had devastating consequences.
'The many references speak highly of a thoroughly decent, pleasant and generous man.'
The defendant had no previous convictions or any driving endorsements.
Referring to the victim impact statements, Judge Carl Harrison told the defendant: 'What was particularly touching was what they said in relation to you Mr Charles.'
He added: 'Mrs Williams was very much loved. She enjoyed life and will be much missed and was loved in the community where she lived.
'What happened on August 7, 2023 was truly a tragedy.
'The family have had the double grief of losing both parents.'
He added that the defendant had "a momentary lapse of concentration".
Charles was jailed for 21 weeks but the sentence was suspended for 12 months.
The defendant was banned from driving for two years and will have to sit an extended test.
He must pay £1,000 costs and a £156 victim surcharge.