Two men have admitted to driving dangerously in the Forest of Dean two years ago, killing a 36-year-old mother of two. Tom Hill, 32, of Walford Ave, Ross on Wye, and Lyndon Parsons, 26, of Smithville Close, St Briavels, both pleaded guilty to causing Terri-Ann Marshall’s death in a crash near Coleford in January 2022, but denied perverting the course of justice by removing evidence from the scene.
The two men were driving different automobiles on the B4228 at Sling, near the Orepool Inn, when they collided on January 28, 2022, killing Terri-Ann Marshall. Hill was driving a Ford Fiesta ST, while Parsons was in a VW Golf GTi. Lucy Alexander, 23, of Carbonne Close, Monmouth, appeared before the court yesterday.
PHOTO: Forest of Dean
She pleaded guilty, along with Parsons, to perverting the course of justice by providing false reports to PC Thomas Jones following the incident.
Approximately 20 members of Ms Marshall’s family attended court to hear the offenders enter their pleas to the charges. Prosecutor Susan Cavender said she could not accept the defendants’ pleas until she had checked with the Crown Prosecution Service.
PHOTO:Terri-Ann Marshall.
Judge Ian Lawrie KC agreed to an adjournment so that this could be done. Hill’s attorney, Robin Shellard, indicated that his client was attending via video connection because he had undergone a series of back surgery, rendering him completely immobile and bedbound.
. Mr Shellard added: “It is believed that Hill will be sentenced to a lengthy period of jail, therefore he must appear in person in court. But this old court in Gloucester is not appropriate for someone in his position.”As I previously stated, he is essentially immobile and will need to attend a court with mobility access.
Judge Lawrie stated that this possibility had been one of his primary worries and suggested that it would entail transferring to another court, specifically Bristol or Salisbury, for sentence.
He went on to say: “I’d prefer if the sentence hearing remained at this court and we could make arrangements for Hill to appear from somewhere else like Compass House, located at Gloucestershire Police’s headquarters.”
Judge Lawrie informed the three defendants that he was releasing them on unconditional bail and that they would appear at Gloucester Crown Court for sentence on March 21, unless otherwise instructed. He said: “You need to co-operate with the Probation Service in order for a pre-sentence report to be produced.”I make it plain that being granted bail does not guarantee you will not face a jail term.
I hope to keep the sentence hearing at this court, but I am pre-warning you that we may have to locate to a court that has disabled access.” The judge then issued all three defendants with an interim driving ban pending sentence. But in a hastily convened second hearing later in the day – in the absence of the defendants – Pina Silvio, for Alexander, reminded Judge Lawrie that her client had been at home at the time of collision and had only became involved when her partner, Parsons, picked up her and they travelled to the scene.
The prosecutor, in reply, told the judge that he has the power to disqualify anybody from driving for any offence, if appropriate. Ms Cavender said: “Because this has that obvious link, the judge has the power to ban Alexander from driving.” Ms Silvio pointed out that Alexander has caring responsibilities for her mother, who has cancer, and frequently drives her to appointments at a hospital which is over an hour away and would be difficult to travel to and from by public transport
. “Alexander also uses her car for work and ferries other members of her family around as well.” Judge Lawrie said that, on balance, the interim driving ban on Alexander at this stage was disproportionate and he lifted it – but warned that this would be reviewed at the sentence hearing. In a tribute to Ms Marshall after her death her family said she was ‘larger than life’ and added:
“Terri was a devoted mum to her two beautiful girls, a cherished daughter of Helen and Ian, much loved sister to Lou and Kate, and loving partner of Will. “Anyone who knew Terri knows that she was a larger than life character who lit up the room wherever she went. She was the life and soul of the party. We are absolutely heartbroken. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with messages of condolences and support. We are absolutely heartbroken.”
