Panic attack delays baby death sentencing date

A woman's sentencing for causing the death of an eight-month-old baby in a crash was delayed when she suffered a panic attack an hour before the hearing.

Bridget Curtis, 70, admitted causing the death of Mabli Cariad Hall by dangerous driving outside Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire in June 2023.

Baby Mabli was in a pushchair next to her father when Curtis crashed into her in a BMW.

The sentencing hearing was due to take place on 22 November, but was called off when the court was told Curtis had suffered a "suspected heart attack".

Swansea Crown Court was told sentencing would now take place on 23 January.

Curtis was taken to hospital on the morning of the planned sentencing hearing, with Judge Geraint Walters saying she had been in hospital since "before breakfast this morning".

The court heard earlier that this had, in fact, been caused by a panic attack.

Curtis, a company director of one of Wales' biggest chicken farms, previously pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court.

Mabli, the youngest of six children and from Neath, died four days after the crash at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

She died from a severe traumatic brain injury after she was hit by Curtis in front of witnesses, an inquest was previously told.

Police said Curtis suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital along with her passenger and a pedestrian.