Grandmother jailed for killing baby in pram after tragic accident outside Welsh hospital
A devastating incident unfolded outside Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, when Bridget Carole Curtis, 71, unintentionally caused the death of eight-month-old Mabli Hall. The court heard that Curtis was in her white BMW 520 automatic car near the hospital entrance while dropping off her daughter for an appointment on the morning of June 21, 2023. After her daughter exited the car to retrieve her handbag from the rear, Curtis, still in the driver’s seat with the engine running, was unable to locate the bag. In a tragic turn of events, the car lurched forward, travelling 28 metres at almost 30mph, mounting a kerb, and crashing into Mabli’s pram along with other relatives gathered on the grassy area.
The heart-wrenching dashcam footage presented in Swansea Crown Court during the sentencing brought to light the horrifying sequence of events that led to the untimely demise of little Mabli. The court was informed that Mabli, who was at the hospital with her family to bid farewell to her terminally ill grandmother, sustained fatal injuries during the incident. Her devastated parents, Rob and Gwen Hall, recounted the immense grief and trauma they have been enduring since the loss of their beloved daughter. Speaking in court, Mr Hall expressed the indescribable pain caused by the loss of their baby girl, describing Curtis’s actions as catastrophic and life-altering for their entire family.
Mabli’s mother, Gwen, recounted the harrowing moment when she received the news of the tragic accident that claimed her daughter’s life. Her emotional testimony underscored the profound impact that Mabli’s presence had on their lives, reminiscing about their special bond and the love she shared with her baby girl. Curtis, who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, appeared in court with a plea for a suspended sentence, attributing the incident to a possible case of “pedal confusion”. The defence counsel highlighted Curtis’s previously unblemished record and her deep remorse for the tragic consequences of her actions.
In a poignant verdict, Judge Geraint Walters acknowledged the irreparable harm caused to the Hall family by Curtis’s reckless driving, describing the incident as one of unparalleled recklessness and danger. Emphasising the gravity of the offence, Judge Walters deemed it necessary to impose a custodial sentence of four years on Curtis, coupled with an eight-year driving ban. The judge’s decision reflected the profound impact of Mabli’s untimely death on her family and the community at large. Following the sentencing, Michael Cray of the Crown Prosecution Service reiterated the importance of safe driving practices and the grave consequences of negligence behind the wheel.
As the Hall family continues to grapple with their loss and mourn the passing of their precious daughter, the tragic incident stands as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and responsibility while operating vehicles. The heartbreaking account of Mabli’s untimely death serves as a poignant narrative of the devastating ripple effects of a single moment of negligence behind the wheel. The legacy of Mabli Hall lives on through the enduring love and memories cherished by her family, who have been irrevocably changed by the profound loss of their little angel.