Tragedy struck in Port Talbot as beloved community leader Noel Crowley was fatally hit by a drug-impaired driver on his way to church. The 86-year-old former council leader, celebrated for his kindness and dedication, was crossing the road when he was struck by Zack Mason, a 20-year-old learner driver over the legal cannabis limit. Despite being rushed to hospital, Mr Crowley succumbed to his injuries three days later.
In a heartfelt tribute, Mr Crowley’s family described him as a man of fairness, compassion, and social advocacy. His absence is deeply felt in every aspect of their daily lives. For his wife Anne, the grief is immeasurable, as she finds solace sleeping with his hat close by every night.
The court heard that on December 7th, Mason had just left a car park when he hit Mr Crowley. A blood test later revealed the presence of cannabis slightly above the legal limit. Mason, now 22, admitted to causing death by careless driving due to drug influence. His licence had been previously revoked for driving without insurance. Representing Mason, David Singh stressed his client’s remorse and commitment to abandoning cannabis use since the incident.
Swansea Crown Court’s Judge Huw Rees recognised Mr Crowley as a man of immense respect, acknowledging no sentence can equate to the value of a lost life. Mason received a four-year sentence, half to be served in custody, alongside a seven-year driving ban. This serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of careless driving and underscores the irreplaceable loss experienced by Mr Crowley’s loved ones.