FOUR career criminals who were joyriding at top speed in a stolen HGV which fatally struck a pedestrian clocked up almost 100 court convictions between them, a court was told yesterday.
Karn Hill, of East View, Cudworth; David Mellor, of Bank End Road, Worsbrough Dale; Alan Mawhinney, of Calder Crescent, Kendray and Wayne Carroll, of Chestnut Street, Grimethorpe caused the death of Jacqueline Wileman on Common Road, Brierley, on September 14 last year.
They were collectively sentenced to almost 50 years in jail at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday, where it was revealed that Carroll, 29, was given a 27-month sentence in October 2015 for causing the death of Anthony Rhodes by dangerous driving following a hit-and-run on Cow Lane, Havercroft.
The HGV, which was driven by Hill, ploughed into three cars, Mrs Wileman and a house before he, Mellor and Carroll attempted to run away from the scene.
It had been stolen two days before the crash by Mellor and was used as a getaway vehicle in a series of fuel thefts from petrol stations across Barnsley.
A vodka bottle and drug paraphernalia were found in the cabin by investigating officers, it was revealed yesterday, and Hill failed a roadside breath test.
Jacqueline’s brother, Johnny Wood, said: “These men should have been locked up long before they killed my sister - they are career criminals who have all been before the courts multiple times before. Carroll now has two convictions for causing death by dangerous driving on his record. Two families now have to deal with that and clearly he has not learned any lessons.
“We are devastated these thugs have ruined our lives and although many of their offences were small, they have repeated them, time and time again, and don’t ever deserve to walk the streets.”
Having had its registration reported, a police officer travelling on Common Road - PC Paul Skeoch - came across the vehicle and turned around to follow it, but Hill sped up and drove at ‘top speed’ before failing to negotiate the bend and careering into Mrs Wileman’s path.
More than 20 people crammed into the public gallery yesterday and watched on as the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, described the incident as ‘one which he would never forget’ due to the harrowing CCTV footage shown in court which showed Mrs Wileman’s final steps and the HGV thundering past seconds later.
Detective Inspector Rob Platts, who oversaw the investigation, said: “Mrs Wileman’s life was cut tragically short by the horrific events of that Friday afternoon. Her family are now without their mum, daughter, sister and caring friend as a result of the actions by these four men.
“The havoc this incident caused, with the HGV being driven so dangerously and out of control, also resulted in an injury to another driver, severe damage to three other vehicles and damage to a house that will have to be rebuilt.
“My thoughts are with Jacqueline’s loved ones who have shown immense strength and dignity throughout the court process.
“From a South Yorkshire Police perspective we’re extremely pleased with sentences imposed. The judge has taken into consideration the serious nature of the incident and the destructive impact this has had on the family of the victim and the community.
“The individuals will now have a considerable amount of time to have a long, hard look at themselves and maybe one day they will actually realise the impact of their actions.”
