### Dangerous Driver Jailed After Fatal Collision with Jogging Grandmother in Dowlais
A family has been left devastated after a beloved mother and grandmother, Catherine Bradford, was killed while out jogging, the result of a reckless driver losing control and mounting the pavement in Dowlais. The driver, Alex Rickwood, aged 32, has been sentenced after Cardiff Crown Court heard harrowing testimonies detailing the immense loss suffered by Mrs Bradford’s family.
On the evening of 19 September 2022, Mrs Bradford, 52, was wearing a distinctive bright pink running top and cap when she was fatally struck on High Street. Rickwood, at the wheel of an uninsured MG ZR, was reported to have been speeding considerably above the 30mph limit, as corroborated by several eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage. He failed to navigate a sweeping bend and, in a desperate attempt to regain control, veered onto the footpath, colliding with a lamppost before hitting Mrs Bradford.
The court learned that the MG ZR belonged to Rickwood’s friend, Ryan Hunt, who had purchased the car for restoration and kept it off the road. Despite the car’s expired MOT and fraudulent trade plates in the windows, Rickwood, described as having a keen interest and expertise in cars, persuaded Hunt to let him drive. The vehicle’s lack of valid insurance rendered Rickwood’s drive both illegal and highly dangerous.
Following the accident, Mrs Bradford was pronounced dead at the scene. Witness statements revealed Rickwood was aware of his actions immediately, reportedly exclaiming, “I’ve hit her, I’ve killed her,” before remaining at the scene and dialling 999. An investigation found that Rickwood had earlier been detected travelling at almost 27mph in a 20mph zone near a primary school and had likely reached speeds up to 45mph at the moment of the collision.
The tragedy’s profound emotional impact was heard in the courtroom during the sentencing, as members of Mrs Bradford’s family gave deeply moving statements. Her daughter, Megan Thomas, described experiencing the “worst day of my life” and feeling lost without her mother’s support and guidance, a sentiment mirrored by Mrs Bradford’s husband, Allan, who revealed his devastation at losing both his partner and best friend in such a devastating manner.
Mrs Bradford had been dropped off by Allan after visiting her parents and had planned to simply run home—a routine she often enjoyed. The family detailed their heartbreak of searching for Catherine when she failed to return, not anticipating the tragedy that had unfolded. Mrs Bradford’s mother, Jean Davies, and her sister, Helen Williams, shared their ongoing grief, highlighting Catherine’s warmth, zest for life, and the irreplaceable role she held in the family.
Rickwood, who had previously worked at a local Ford dealership but resigned following the incident, expressed “genuine remorse”, according to his defence counsel. The court heard he had no significant criminal record but had accrued points for earlier speeding offences. Judge Shomon Khan acknowledged the lasting pain inflicted on the Bradford family but stressed that no sentence could sufficiently compensate for their suffering. Rickwood pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, among other offences, avoiding a trial.
Ultimately, Rickwood received a custodial sentence totalling five years and five months. He has also been banned from driving for almost eight years and must take an extended test to regain his licence in the future. The judge remarked on the preventable nature of the incident, criticising Rickwood’s reckless decision to drive without insurance or a valid MOT and his actions leading up to the collision.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving and the irrevocable damage it can inflict, not only on victims but their families and communities. As the sentence was handed down, family members reflected on their loss, hopeful that no other family would endure a similar trauma as a result of irresponsible decisions on the roads.