Drink-driver hit 91-year-old while on his phone

A drink-driver who hit a 91-year-old woman as she crossed the road has been jailed for more than eight years.

Mark Roberts, 57, of Holden Way, Great Gonerby, was twice the drink-drive limit and was using his phone at the time of the collision.

Gwendoline Christian died six days after she was hit by Roberts while crossing Sankt Augustin Way in Grantham on 27 November 2023.

Roberts had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Lincoln Crown Court.

Speaking after the sentencing on 25 October, Det Sgt Adam Doona, from Lincolnshire Police's serious collision investigation unit, said there could be no excuses for committing serious driving offences.

As well as being sentenced to eight years and three months in prison Roberts also received a driving ban for nine years and 45 days.

An investigation by Lincolnshire Police found Roberts had not seen any pedestrians as he drove up to the junction of Sankt Augustin Way and Dysart Road at about 16:45 GMT.

A reconstruction held by investigators found that there was sufficient lighting provided by the streetlights and surrounding premises to make Ms Christian visible.

Det Sgt Doona said the "sad death" of Ms Christian could "very easily have been avoided".

"Roberts must have known it is dangerous to drive, hold a phone and be in conversation with someone when in charge of and driving a car," he added.

He concluded: "This case is a stark reminder not only of the penalties for those who break the law in such a way but the devastating and very final impact their actions can have."

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