Actions of driver who killed dog walker was not 'dangerous' driving, court hears

Wales Online

15-05-2025

Actions of driver who killed dog walker was not 'dangerous' driving, court hears
Daniel Boucher, 28, has admitted striking and killing David Chaplin, 66, after he lost control of his red Peugeot 207, but he denies driving dangerously.
Daniel Boucher, 28, denies causing the death of David Chaplin by dangerous driving.
(Image: John Myers )
A barrister representing a man accused of causing the death of a dog walker by dangerous driving said his client's actions did not fall "far below" that of a careful driver. He said his client would be held criminally responsible for the death after he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
Daniel Boucher, 28, has admitted striking and killing David Chaplin, 66, after he lost control of his red Peugeot 207 which left the road as he failed to negotiate a left bend. The car rolled onto its side and struck Mr Chaplin who was later found unconscious on a grass verge.
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A trial at Cardiff Crown Court has previously heard Boucher, of New Road, Argoed, Caerphilly, admits causing the death of Mr Chaplin by careless driving but denies his actions amounted to dangerous driving. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
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The defendant worked for a window cleaning firm based in Nelson, Caerphilly and was leaving premises at Whitebeam industrial estate at around 5.10pm on April 18, 2023 when the collision occurred.
The Peugeot mounted the pavement while sideways at an angle and collided with a lamppost, causing the vehicle to flip onto its side and come to a stop on a grass verge on the driver's side.
Mr Chaplin was lying on his back on the grass verge and was unconscious. He was breathing but had been seriously injured.
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Paramedics and police later arrived and took over Mr Chaplin's treatment but despite their best efforts he was pronounced dead at the scene. A cause of death was later given as multiple traumatic injuries.
Daniel Boucher, 28, denies causing the death of David Chaplin by dangerous driving.
(Image: John Myers )
Delivering his closing speech to the jury on Thursday, defence barrister Hashim Salmman said his client was criminally responsible for Mr Chaplin's death but his actions did not amount to dangerous driving.
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He said: "In cases of this kind, people on both sides suffer. The pain and suffering felt by Mr Chaplin's loved ones is heartbreaking and unimaginable. Everyone in this case wishes they could turn back the hands of time...
"Please remember it's not the defence's case that Mr Boucher is blameless. He's not simply guilty of a crime, he's guilty of a serious crime. He's not an innocent young man, he is criminally responsible for the tragedy that unfolded. That is why didn't just plead guilty to an offence, he pleaded guilty to a serious crime of causing death by careless driving."
Mr Salmman said it was a "golden rule" for the jury to keep an open mind when judging the case.
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The barrister referred to evidence of Scott Williams, a colleague of Boucher's who drove behind him and witnessed the collision.
He questioned whether Mr Williams' evidence had been "coloured" by the tragic consequences and his initial arrest for causing death by dangerous driving, for which he was never charged.
Mr Salmman also referred to Boucher's police interview in which he stated he was not using his mobile phone at the time of the collision, and said the only factor the prosecution was relying on was the defendant's speed.
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He added: "The defence case is Mr Boucher has properly pleaded guilty to the charge that really reflects his criminality. In all the circumstances of this case, his driving fell below a careful and competent driver but not all the way down to far below that standard.
"If the defence case may be possible, Mr Boucher is not guilty of (causing death by dangerous driving)."
The trial continues.
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