**Heartbroken Family Shares Emotional Impact After Daughter’s Tragic Death by Dangerous Driver**
A Merthyr Tydfil family has spoken movingly in court about the devastating loss of Catherine Bradford, who died after being struck by a speeding motorist while out jogging. The emotional testimonies shared by her loved ones at Cardiff Crown Court provided a poignant insight into the depth of their grief and the enduring pain left in the wake of her sudden death.
Catherine Bradford, aged 52, was running along High Street in Dowlais on 19 September 2022 when a car driven by 32-year-old Alex Rickwood mounted the pavement and hit her. Rickwood was uninsured at the time and driving with fraudulent number plates. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and using a false trade plate. He has been sentenced to five years and five months in prison and is banned from driving for more than seven years.
During the sentencing hearing, five members of Mrs Bradford’s family chose to face Rickwood and deliver their heart-rending statements directly to him. Each statement detailed not only the cherished memories they held of Catherine, but also the immeasurable void left since her life was cut short.
Jean Davies, Catherine’s mother, addressed the court with a trembling voice as she recounted the last moments spent with her daughter. Catherine’s final visit to her parents’ home, clad in her favourite pink running attire, was described in loving detail. Mrs Davies recalled how Catherine left with a wave, promising to return – a promise that, tragically, would never be fulfilled.
The court heard how, shortly after Catherine set off for her run, her sister Helen Williams was forced to deliver the unbearable news to their parents. Overcome with emotion, Ms Williams described the horror and disbelief on her parents’ faces, and how the moment she had to identify Catherine in the mortuary has become an indelible memory that will haunt her always.
Catherine’s passion for life and love for her family formed a recurring theme throughout the family’s statements. Mrs Davies described her as someone who brought joy to everyone she met – a devoted daughter, caring mother to Adam and Meg, wife to Allan, a cherished grandmother, and a beloved sister and aunt. “Catherine, I talk to your photograph every day, even if it’s just to say ‘hi’,” Mrs Davies emotionally stated, summing up the enduring sense of loss that permeates their daily lives.
Helen Williams confronted Rickwood in the dock, expressing the devastation wrought by his reckless decisions that day. She reminded him that, while he has the opportunity to reflect on his actions, her family has been denied a future with Catherine – a loss that has “destroyed” them and which they cannot forgive.
The judge presiding over the case condemned Rickwood’s conduct, highlighting the selfishness of his actions and the catastrophic consequences that resulted. The sentence passed aims to reflect the seriousness of the offence and send a wider message about the dangers of reckless driving and disregarding the law.
This case has served as a harrowing reminder of the lasting repercussions that dangerous driving can inflict on families and communities alike. In the aftermath of such tragedies, the grief experienced by loved ones often remains invisible to the wider public, but the family’s courageous statements have shone a light on the enduring personal toll.
As the family continues to grapple with their loss, local community members have voiced their support, expressing hopes that the sentencing will provide some measure of justice, even as nothing can undo the damage wrought that day. Catherine Bradford is remembered not only for her love of running and her dedication to her family, but as a woman whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew her.
The incident has also reignited calls for stricter enforcement of road safety measures and harsher penalties for those caught driving uninsured or with fraudulent documents. It is hoped that raising awareness through such tragic stories will help prevent similar heartbreak for other families in the future.