A MOTORIST has been sentenced for causing the death of a "kind, generous and amazing" man by reversing into in him at a Flintshire car dealership.

Paul Davies, of Beaumont Close in Chester, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (July 13). 

The 50-year-old had previously admitted causing Nigel Sedgwick's death by careless driving at the Evans Halshaw Service Centre in Bretton last year.

Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting, told the court that the incident occurred shortly before 8.30am on May 3, 2022. 

Mr Sedgewick, from the Midlands, was walking across the forecourt of the Evans Halshaw Service Centre after delivering a van from Wolverhampton. 

Davies was manoeuvring a Ford Ranger vehicle to move it to another area of the site. He reversed the vehicle from a parking bay, at which point Mr Sedgewick has paused to look at his mobile phone. The Ford Ranger made contact with Mr Sedgewick - knocking him to the ground. 

The court was told that the vehicle continued to reverse for a short distance, briefly pausing before continuing to reverse and turn as Mr Sedgewick lay trapped under it. 

A short time later, Davies exited the vehicle and found Mr Sedgewick lying under it. 

Davies then raised the alarm, and machinery was used to lift the vehicle so Mr Sedgewick could be removed from under it. Davies performed CPR before the emergency services arrived, which included assistance from the North West Air Ambulance Service.

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Mr Sedgewick, aged 64, was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital where, despite all care and efforts, he was sadly pronounced dead shortly before 10.30am that morning. 

A post-mortem examination into Mr Sedgewick's death found he had suffered "severe chest trauma" and crush injuries, the court heard. 

In police interview, Davies said he had checked all around the vehicle before reversing. Part way through the manoeuvre, he said the vehicle felt "sluggish". He briefly stopped to check the handbrake was off, before continuing. Davies then thought the vehicle may have had a puncture, so got out to check. It was then that he discovered Mr Sedgewick. 

Victim personal statements from Mr Sedgewick's family members were read out to the court. 

They described him as "extremely kind" and that he "would do anything for anyone".

His two sons said they have lost their "best friend" and that they "will never recover" from losing their father. 

Christina Sedgewick, Mr Sedgewick's wife, added: "Nigel was a kind, generous, amazing, loving husband, father and grandfather. He worked hard for many years to provide for and support his family. He was liked by everyone he met. 

He was said to be "counting down the days" to his retirement in 2023 - when he planned to travel and spend more time with his family. 

Megan Tollitt, defending, said Davies was of previous good character and is revered by his fellow staff members at Evans Halshaw in Bretton - where he has been employed for the last decade. 

He is said to have taken full responsibility for the incident, and has been left "devastated" by what happened. Davies was said to be doing "everything humanly possible" to help Mr Sedgewick after the incident occurred. 

Judge Rhys Rowlands described it as a "horrible, avoidable, tragic accident".

"It just shows how careful we all need to be when we get behind the wheel," he said. 

Davies was sentenced to eight months imprisonment - suspended for a period of two years. He has been disqualified from driving for 18 months and must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.