To think today’s article about Auriol Grey paint a very different picture

[HibiscusBlues]

I was sad to see articles today about the woman jailed for the death of a cyclist. At the time of the offence she was living in a home for the disabled. If this is the case my experience is places like that aren’t easily available.
Shes partially blind, has balance problems and cognitive difficulties after a birth injury to the brain. She’s had related brain surgery.
If this is the case, as her family’s appeal stated, then there does seem a disconnect with the judge saying no difficulties that impacted her actions. Accessing supported living yet being deemed able-bodied and cognitively normal by a court.
Obviously the incident was horrendous for the Ward family, and the cyclist need not deserve to die. It’s a sad case. However the handling of the case is starting to sound uncomfortable. What have others thought of the articles today?

Find the video where it is slowed down, frame by frame. All movement very consistent with a push. Absolutely looks that way. Turn of the feet, hands forward in Celia's direction.

But at any rate, what Grey did caused Celia to lose control and fall into the road. She was up very close and making swatting motions towards her and the road.

It was not an accident.

Oh well

She's in there rotting away for time being.....bet she's sorry now eh?

As long as said child doesn't intentionally and aggressively attempt to force another path user into a road causing their death then said child won't need a defence will they.

I accept that a family member may not be impartial but the description of her character and how she reacted to her sister's death did make me feel uneasy.

It does sound that her family were not even aware of the situation until the case was fairly far advanced so would have been unable to give an input into her character and how she reacted to upsetting situations. I understand that her brother in law is now involved in supporting the appeal.

She seems to have had few friends who really knew her and I would like to think that the courts and sentencing reports were impartial but they are not always infallible.

They also showed Grey stills of the footage, pointing out to Grey that her hand was 'on [Ms Ward's] jacket'.When pushed to explain this, Grey again said: 'I can't remember.'

What part of this says that AG pushed the victim??

Seriously, people's reading comprehension...

All that indicates is that Grey refused to be drawn on it. Apart from her refusal to confirm it, which wasn't in her interests, it looks and sounds very much like a push.

The police had the full video.

Yes but we have seen up to the part where horrifically, the victim starts to fall into the traffic.

There's no further contact then. The part we don't see shows the victim being killed. Of course they won't show this.

If someone puts their hand on me when I’m moving, especially moving at speed then I think that would roughly constitute a push.

Vile. Really vile.

Given that until recently she believed she was returning home, and was unaware she is in prison (she's now been made aware), I suspect not. She has limited understanding of what happened to her.

Try having empathy with the real victim.

And if she has cerebral palsy is she actually fully in control of her limbs? I haven't seen anything that says either way, but poor balance, cerebral palsy and partial sight is really a poor combination. Seeing someone moving towards you under those circumstances, is going to be frightening. Of course I feel sorry for the other parties but I do feel it was a tragic accident. FWIW I don't think any cyclist should be on the pavement, it's dangerous for all.

it looks and sounds very much like a push.

No it doesn't. They had the video. They could see there was some contact, and that's how it was described.

She was never accused of pushing her, and the prosecution did not make this argument.

The issue was whether her aggression, slight contact & have gestures led to the death of the poor victim, and obvs she was found guilty of this, the judge decided to apply a custodial sentence.

@EarringsandLipstick oh yes, she will be WELL aware she's in prison now....bet she's not waving her arms and pushing officers and inmates aside!!

No, it wouldn't 🙄

It would constitute exactly what you said - someone putting their hand on you.

That's not correct or safe - I'm not arguing that is is.

But it's not a push.

"Slight contact" in the direction of a busy road, inches away from it. That's a light push. Enough to force Mrs Ward into the road while blocking her from getting away from it.

And it wasn't an accident.

She had a very good solicitor and top barrister. She was very well represented

Try having empathy with the real victim.

I absolutely do.

It's possible to have empathy for more than one person.

Sadly Ms Ward will not be brought back by incarcerating a vulnerable disabled woman.

We don't imprison people because it undoes the consequences of their actions.

Yes, if you read the Sunday Times article her BIL covers this. She had quite limited physical capacity.

You're a very horrible person.

Slight contact" in the direction of a busy road, inches away from it. That's a light push.

It's not. The prosecutor never claimed it was.

She was not accused of pushing the victim.

That's not to say she didn't cause this - her actions certainly contributed to it. It's about her culpability and the correctness or not of a custodial sentence.

@EarringsandLipstick 😉

We don't imprison people because it undoes the consequences of their actions.

True. But we take into account in sentencing, their previous history, their culpability, and any mitigating factors which can include physical and cognitive impairment.

Well that's a different argument.

Those are factors that were taken into account when she was sentenced to three years rather than the standard four. If something was missed, hopefully the appeal will right it.

But she shouldn't be spared jail purely because it can't bring back Mrs Ward.

And it wasn't an accident.

No, the opposite happened. The road was to AGs left. Mrs Ward was to the right of the pavement, and passed between AG and the road. At the point they meet there is also a lamp post near the fence, I don't know if that is allowed for in the measurement of the 2.4m width.