Latest news with #DanielBoucher
South Wales Argus
18-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly: ‘Show off' driver killed man out walking dogs
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.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly: Dangerous driver guilty of killing dog walker
Daniel Boucher, 28, was convicted of the offence in which 66-year-old David Chaplin was killed on Ty Du Road, Nelson, Caerphilly. Prosecutor Owen Williams said the victim died at the scene after being hit by the defendant who was driving a Peugeot 207 GTi on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Boucher, of New Road, Argoed, near Blackwood had denied the offence during his trial at Cardiff Crown Court. He is due to be sentenced on Monday, June 23. The defendant was granted bail by Judge Vanessa Francis.
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- Wales Online
Dangerous driver killed dog walker when his car flipped as he 'showed off' at speed
Dangerous driver killed dog walker when his car flipped as he 'showed off' at speed Daniel Boucher, 28, struck and killed 66-year-old David Chaplin after he lost control of his red Peugeot 207 while taking a bend at speed Daniel Boucher, 28, had denied causing the death of David Chaplin by dangerous driving. (Image: John Myers ) A driver killed a dog walker after flipping his car while taking a bend at speed while "showing off" and losing control of his vehicle. The victim suffered multiple traumatic injuries and died at the roadside. Daniel Boucher, 28, struck and killed 66-year-old David Chaplin 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. Boucher, of New Road, Argoed, Caerphilly, was found guilty on Friday of causing death by dangerous driving, following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. He had denied this charge and had pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving but this plea was rejected by the jury. Opening the case to the jury, prosecutor Owen Williams said 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. Daniel Boucher, 28, denies causing the death of David Chaplin by dangerous driving. (Image: John Myers ) Article continues below The defendant had been speaking to colleague Scott Williams about his Peugeot 207 and his love for cars. He had told Mr Williams his Peugeot was "turbo-charged" and had brake horsepower between 165 and 170. Upon leaving the industrial estate, Boucher repeatedly revved his engine for no apparent reason, with Mr Williams suggesting the defendant was "showing off." He revved his engine again as he left the industrial estate with Scott Williams following on behind. As he reached a junction onto Ty Du Road, Boucher took a left at speed and accelerated as he made the turn. Prosecutor Mr Williams said the defendant was travelling "way too fast" to negotiate the bend. At this point, Mr Chaplin was walking two dogs in the opposite direction of Boucher's car as the defendant took the left bend and "oversteered". This caused his rear tires to lose grip, and the vehicle slid sideways across the road towards the pavement. 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. Scott Williams ran to help Boucher and opened the passenger door to help him climb out of the vehicle. He was in a state of shock and had an injury to his head. The men then saw Mr Chaplin lying on his back on the grass verge and was unconscious. He was breathing but had been seriously injured. Scott Williams called an ambulance and briefly returned to his workplace to get help as Boucher remained at the scene of the collision with Mr Chaplin. 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. Police officers attended Boucher's workplace, where he had been told to go by those at the scene, and he was arrested. He told officers "I lost control of the car" and confirmed he was driving over the speed limit. He did not respond to his arrest and cautioned but he later said: "What have I done, I'm sorry." Following the guilty verdicts, Judge Vanessa Francis thanked the jury for their service. Article continues below The judge told Boucher he would be receiving a custodial sentence but remanded the defendant on bail while a pre-sentence report is prepared and to allow for him to put his affairs in order. The defendant will appear at the same court on June 23 for sentencing.
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Wales Online
Actions of driver who killed dog walker was not 'dangerous' driving, court hears
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. 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. 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. Article continues below 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. 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. 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. 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. Article continues below
