16-05-2025
Driver was trying to show off. He ended up causing the death of an innocent man
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A dangerous driver killed a dog walker after 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.
Motorist Daniel Boucher, 28, struck and killed David Chaplin, 66, after his red Peugeot 207 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.
The defendant, of New Road, Argoed, Caerphilly, was found guilty on Friday of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court, reports can sign up for all the latest court stories here
Boucher 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.
Prosecutor Owen Williams said the defendant worked for a window cleaning firm based in Nelson, Caerphilly and was leaving the premises at Whitebeam industrial estate at around 5.10pm on April 18, 2023 when the collision occurred.
(Image: John Myers)
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.
On reaching 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 tyres 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 he 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 caution but he later said: "What have I done, I'm sorry." Following the guilty verdicts, Judge Vanessa Francis thanked the jury for their service.
And 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.
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