Parents Of 45-Year-Old Victim Say Their “Lives Have Changed Forever”

The family of a woman who died after being hit by a car in North Cornwall say a “bright light has gone out in their lives and it will never be the same again” as the driver responsible was today found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Kate Bailey’s body was found in a ditch beside Trewiston Lane, St Minver in July last year after a suspected hit and run crash, just yards from her parents’ home. The 45-year-old from Trewiston Lane had been walking home after shutting up her chickens and checking on her parents for whom she cared.

At Truro Crown Court in May, the driver, 52-year-old Jonathan Kane from London, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving whilst unlicensed or uninsured and one count of dangerous driving, but he denied death by dangerous driving.

The prosecution decided to bring a case on that charge and the case was adjourned until this week where he was found guilty following a trial at Truro Crown Court. Kane has today been jailed for two years and banned from driving for five years.

The family instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the crash and support them following Kate’s death.

Deborah Rose, specialist road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell is representing the family.

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The family have been left devastated at losing Kate. She was not just a family member but also acted as a carer for her parents who have suffered ill-health themselves.

“This incident shows the impact that road collisions can have and it is important that people take note ensure that road safety is a priority for all drivers. We will now continue to support the family through this difficult time.” Deborah Rose - Partner

In a victim impact statement read out at court, the family said her death was not only a devastating loss to them but also to the community. Over 500 people attended her funeral and on the anniversary of her death many laid flowers where she died.  

Kate’s mother Frances Kent said: “Kate had lived on the farm with her husband Alan for 25 years and waked down that road every day to come and help us out at home. She always took safety very seriously wearing a high vis jacket when near the roads.

“We are now one year on from that night that changed our lives forever and as time has gone on the impact of our loss is more deeply felt every day.

“Her dad is in poor health having suffered with heart problems and I’ve had to overcome bowel cancer in the past year. We have had to go through this all without Kate who was our rock.

“Not only have we lost our carer but a very special person.  Kate was always cheerful, creating happiness around her and made people smile.  Even now when we talk about her there is a happiness she left. People very often said that when Kate called she never failed to cheer them up.  A bright light has gone out in our lives and it will never be the same again.

“Nothing will ever bring her back but we hope this sends out a message to all drivers to take responsibility for their actions on the roads.”

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