Caerphilly: ‘Show off' driver killed man out walking dogs

South Wales Argus

18-05-2025

Window cleaner Daniel Boucher, 28, revved his engine and boasted about the horsepower of his Peugeot 207 GTi minutes before the smash.
He lost control on a bend – and struck 66-year-old David Chaplin who had been walking two dogs.
The victim died at the scene on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Prosecutor Owen Williams said Boucher had finished work when he bragged to colleague Scott Williams about the 165 and 170 horsepower of his "turbocharged" car.
He told how the defendant was then "showing off" as he revved the engine with his workmate following in a car behind.
The court heard he was driving "way too fast" to negotiate the bend in Nelson, Caerphilly and "oversteered".
Mr Williams said the Peugeot mounted the pavement and collided with a lamppost before flipping onto its side and stopping on a grass verge.
Boucher admitted speeding to police officers at the scene saying: "I lost control of the car."
He later confessed: "What have I done? I'm sorry."
Boucher of New Road, Argoed, near Blackwood was found guilty by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
He had admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.
Boucher was bailed but told by Judge Vanessa Francis he faces jail when he returns to court next month for sentence on Monday, June 23.