Man jailed for causing death of Abby Hill in Llangollen crash

Marcus Pasley, of Llantysilio, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Friday afternoon.

The 26-year-old had previously admitted causing the death of Abby Hill, 19, last July at Berwyn, Llangollen, while driving a Renault car.

Elen Owen, prosecuting, explained how Bridge End Hotel bar manager James Edwards was working on the evening of July 3, 2021. 

Ms Owen said he recalls the defendant and Ms Hill arriving at the Llangollen venue at about 7.30pm and staying until 11.30pm. 

He recalled serving them three rounds of drinks during this time and remembers serving the defendant two pints of Stella Lager and a pint of Guinness, as well as recalling him finishing Miss Hill’s Stella.

Ms Owen said: "The witness was cleaning up outside when they left and recalls saying to the defendant - 'You’re not driving anywhere in that state.'"

There had been an agreement between them earlier that he would share a taxi with them, however, they told him they were going to leave the car and walk home.

At around 11.45pm Gareth Edwards, the deputy manager of the Bridge End Hotel, was in the bar when the defendant ran in, in a panic, asking for help and saying there had been a crash and he was concerned for Ms Hill.

He said he thought she was dead.

It was the defendant who found Ms Hill lying on the grass verge using the light from the mobile phones of the witnesses. 

His car was on its side in the roadway. Emergency services were called, and Mr Edwards went to get his mother, Nesta Edwards, a qualified nurse and brought her back to the scene where she tended to Ms Hill as best she could. 

READ MORE: Llangollen man admits  causing death of teenager in crash

Ms Hill's sister and parents also came to the scene.

When the ambulance still had not arrived after about an hour and a half a decision was taken to convey Ms Hill to hospital by car and with the help of the police officers at the scene she was assisted into Mr Edwards’ car and taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital along with Nesta Edwards and Ms Hill's sister Gemma.

A roadside breath test was administered on the defendant at 37 minutes past midnight and the reading he gave was 56 (the limit being 35.)

The defendant was arrested and taken to hospital where the blood alcohol procedure was completed and a blood sample was taken from him at 2.28am. 

Analysis showed the blood alcohol level to be 93 (the limit in blood being 80).

When interviewed he stated he had drunk two glasses of wine and six pints during the course of the afternoon and evening.

He stated that they had both decided they did not want to wait for a taxi and the decision was taken that he would drive. 

When asked to describe what happened he said he was driving at the speed limit when he came round the corner too fast, came onto the verge and “lost control or thought he was going to lose control” so braked suddenly, causing the car to turn over. 

He confirmed Ms Hill was not wearing a seat belt and believes she was thrown out of the car. 

Tragically Ms Hill passed away on the afternoon of July 5 at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, despite neurosurgical intervention. The cause of death was given as blunt force head injury.

In a statement read to the court, Abby's sister Gemma Hill said the victim had always been her "shoulder to cry on," describing how they had planned to open a restaurant together.

READ MORE: Drug dealers jailed after Flintshire undercover police operation

She described her sister as an "angel" and said the incident had devastated the family and Ms Hill's friends.

Andrew Green, defending, said: "Abby Hill was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her.

"Marcus Pasley is going to prison - he's known that for over a year.

"Many before these courts seek to wriggle out of their responsibilities - Marcus Pasely has accepted responsibility from the beginning.

"He doesn't seek to blame anyone or anything other than himself."

Quoting from a letter written to the court by Pasley, Mr Green said: "It feels like a terrifying nightmare I will wake up from - this is now my life, every day.

"I cannot begin to explain the guilt and remorse I feel.

"I wish with all my heart I could go back and swap places with Abby.

"I will carry this guilt with me for the rest of my life and I want to say how terribly sorry I am and send my deepest condolences to the family."

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "What an appalling and unnecessary waste of a wonderful life - a loved and adored daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend...

"Acting entirely out of character, you drove after knowingly consuming at least six pints of what you would have known was strong lager, on top of two glasses of wine.

"By your own admission you knew the road - you knew that corner.

"You drove too fast and the impact on the family is heartbreaking to hear.

"The matter is aggravated by the fact you knew your passenger was vulnerable because of drink.

"You didn't and should have checked and insisted she put on her safety belt."

Judge Parry said the public should understand that no sentence can or is intended to reflect the value of a life.

Pasley was jailed for two years and four months, and was banned from driving for two and a half years - with an additional 14 months ban added to reflect the custodial element of his sentence.

The Judge added: "I express my gratitude and admiration to those of you in the public gallery for the dignity you've shown in such dreadfully difficult circumstances."

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