Chilling moment driver flees after hitting mum on her way to dinner with husband

20 October 2023 , 17:24

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Chilling moment driver flees after hitting mum on her way to dinner with husband

Horrifying CCTV footage shows the moment a much-loved mum was left to die on the road after she was hit by a car driving at double the speed limit.

Anne Jones, 60, was on her way to a meal with her husband and another couple days before Christmas when she was hit by the Mercedes driven by John Brazil, 28, as she crossed the road. The cowardly driver, who was banned from the roads at the time, fled the scene after the fatal collision on December 19 2021. CCTV footage released by Greater CCTV footage released by Manchester Police shows the moments before the collision, as Anne crossed the road. Other clips show the Mercedes being driven away before Brazil can be seen parking up and running away on foot.

The tragic incident was caught on CCTV

At court Harriet Tighe, prosecuting, said Brazil got behind the wheel of a Mercedes belonging to a friend who he was staying with. He later returned 'crying' and looking 'scared', telling them: "I've hit somebody, I've hit somebody."

Anne and her husband had booked a table at an Indian restaurant, which they were attending with another couple. She died almost instantly after suffering horrendous injuries. Brazil handed himself in the next day, telling police officers: "It wasn't my fault, she just ran out." However, Minshull Street Crown Court heard the collision would never have happened if Brazil hadn't been driving at 60mph in a 30mph zone.

Despite initially denying he was to blame, the ensuing investigation by SCIU compiled enough evidence that would eventually compel Brazil to return a guilty plea. He was jailed for nine years and nine months.

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Anne Jones, 60, was hit by a car and left to die at the side of the road (MEN Media)

Following the sentencing today, Mark Jones paid tribute to his wife Anne, saying: "Twenty-two months ago the world lost the most loving and generous person imaginable. Every day since, and for the rest of our lives, Anne’s family and friends will mourn her passing. The world and the lives of everyone who knew her will never be as happy as they could have been with Anne in it.

"Nothing the court did today will ever ease the loss our family suffers every day. Nothing will bring Anne back and we as a family will have to live with that fact forever. It is therefore irrelevant what happens to the man that killed Anne because no sentence could even begin to correct the devastation he has caused."

John Brazil, 28, has been jailed for more than nine years (MEN Media)

Police Sergeant Louise Warhurst added: “It has taken more than two years to get to this point, but I hope the conclusion of this case will bring Anne’s family some form of closure. Anne was a loving wife and a devoted mother and that evening she should have been enjoying time spent with her husband and friends at Christmas.

“The pain and suffering Anne’s family have endured is unimaginable and our thoughts remain with them. I would like to thank them for their support, their strength and their bravery throughout this investigation and particularly during proceedings at court, which I know will have been some of the hardest days in their lives.”

Antony Clements-Thrower