Partially-sighted woman with cerebral palsy convicted of manslaughter after elderly cyclist killed

28 February 2023, 22:45 | Updated: 1 March 2023, 01:09

Celia Ward (R) died after being struck by a car in October 2020.
Celia Ward (R) died after being struck by a car in October 2020. Picture: Family Handout

By Chris Samuel

A partially-sighted pedestrian with cerebral palsy has been has been found guilty of killing an elderly cyclist who had "angered" her by cycling on the pavement.

Auriol Grey, 49, gestured in a “hostile and aggressive way” towards Celia Ward, 77, who then fell into the path of an oncoming car which struck her.

A video shown to Peterborough Crown Court captured the moment Grey shouted at Ms Ward to "get off the f****** pavement".

Mrs Ward then appears to wobble off the pavement into road in Huntingdon, Cambs, where she is hit by a VW Passat.

Grey was convicted of manslaughter and will be sentenced on Thursday.

Read more: Constance Marten and sex offender partner arrested for manslaughter as cops keep searching for baby

Read more: Rishi Sunak has 'good reason' to remove the Tory whip from 'terrible person' Boris Johnson, Rory Stewart says

The court heard that two women passed each other on the pavement of the town's ring road pavement on October 20, 2020.

The prosecution claimed that Grey had been "angered by the presence of a cyclist on a footpath".

Prosecutor Simon Spence KC said Grey shouted at Ms Ward and "gestured in a hostile and aggressive way towards" her, which caused her to fall off the bike and into the road where she was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

The court heard the car had no chance to stop or take avoiding action and that Ms Ward died at the scene.

Jurors were told Grey left before emergency services arrived and went to Sainsbury's where she bought groceries.

In a police interview Grey told officers she was partially sighted and described the bicycle as travelling "fast" in the middle of the pavement.

She said she was "anxious that I was going to get hit by it", adding that she "may have unintentionally put" out her hand to protect herself.

Read more: Disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell to appeal sex trafficking conviction

Read more: Fresh Tube strike as RMT calls more action over pensions and jobs row for Budget Day

The court was told police couldn't "categorically" state whether the pavement was a shared cycleway.

Following the verdict, Detective Sergeant Mark Dollard, who interviewed Grey, said: "This is a difficult and tragic case.

"Everyone will have their own views on cyclists, pavements and cycleways but what is clear is Auriol Grey’s response to the presence of Celia on a pedal cycle was totally disproportionate and ultimately found to be unlawful, resulting in Celia's untimely and needless death.

"I am pleased with the verdict and hope it is a stark reminder to all road users to take care and be considerate to each other.

"I want to take the time to acknowledge Celia's family and thank them for their patience and dignity throughout the entirety of the investigation and trial."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Violence broke out after the match in Amsterdam

Israel sends planes to Amsterdam to 'rescue' football fans as Dutch PM condemns 'anti-Semitic attacks'

David Lammy dismisses Donald Trump 'neo-Nazi symathiser' comments as 'old news'

David Lammy dismisses past criticism of Donald Trump as 'old news' conceding pair will find 'common ground'

Sir Mark Rowley said people with ‘huge influence’ had made comments that risked undermining justice

Met chief Sir Mark Rowley delivers thinly-veiled rebuke to Sadiq Khan and other figures over Chris Kaba remarks

Military dogs get £3m kit upgrade including goggles and combat vests to help k9s parachute into war

Military dogs get £3m kit boost with goggles, vests, and boots to prepare them for parachute drops into combat zones

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Migrant caravan of thousands heads towards US border amid fears of Trump’s return to hardline policies

Migrant caravan of thousands makes 'mad dash' to US border ahead of crackdown after Trump takes office

One Direction star Liam Payne's death 'not suicide' Argentina prosecutors say - as three people charged over death

One Direction star Liam Payne's death 'not suicide' Argentina prosecutors say - as three people charged over death

Baby P's mother 'recalled to prison just two years after release' for breaching licence conditions

Baby P's mother, Tracey Connelly, makes fresh bid for freedom weeks after prison recall for breaching licence conditions

Son of farmer who took his own life fearing Budget inheritance tax raid says Starmer 'has blood on his hands'

Son of farmer who took his own life fearing Budget inheritance tax raid says Starmer 'has blood on his hands'

Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer pledges £3.5 million to support homeless veterans ahead of Remembrance Sunday

Donald Trump was inaugurated for the first time in January 2017

Which musical artists could perform at Trump's inauguration in January 2025?

Donald Trump has said he has no choice but to launch mass deportations

Trump says US 'has no choice but to deport illegal immigrants' en masse, as president-elect builds top team

Prince William said the past year has been 'brutal'

Prince William says past year has been 'probably the hardest in his life' after Charles and Kate's cancer diagnoses

Ian Botham was saved from the crocodile by his former rival Merv Hughes

Ian Botham saved from crocodiles by former Australian cricket rival after falling into remote river

Sara Sharif was found dead

Sara Sharif’s ‘evil’ stepmum tied her up with packaging tape, father tells court

Three people have been charged in connection with the death of One Direction star Liam Payne

Three people charged in connection with death of One Direction star Liam Payne after he fell from hotel balcony