Neil Jones, 48, of Morningside Road, was sentenced to 51 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday for causing death by careless driving, dangerous driving, making threats with an offensive weapon, and two counts of assault.
Fatal Crash in Bootle
On December 12, 2024, Linda Donnelly, a 72-year-old grandmother, was struck by Jones's Ford Focus as she crossed Brewster Street in Bootle at around 7:45pm. Investigations revealed Jones was driving at approximately 45mph (between 39mph and 51mph) in a 30mph zone. Prosecutor Zahra Baqri told the court: "It is the crown's case that, if the defendant had been travelling at the legal limit of 30mph, the tragedy could have been avoided."
Road Rage at Cheshire Oaks
Just over a year later, on December 23, 2025, retired police officer Martin Alwyn was at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in Ellesmere Port with his two adult sons and two grandchildren. As they crossed the road toward a restaurant, Jones drove his car toward them at speed. Mr Alwyn said Jones narrowly missed his son by inches and made no effort to slow down.
An argument broke out. One of Mr Alwyn's sons, Mark Brough, shouted at Jones to slow down and threw two soft toys at the back of his car. Jones pulled into a disabled parking bay, got out, and shouted: "What have you done to my f***ing car? Who the f*** are you? I'll f***ing kick your head in. Don't you dare throw anything at my car or I'll smash your face."
Footage shows Jones returning to his car, retrieving a claw hammer from the boot, and charging at Mark Kimpton, who had tried to intervene. Jones swung the weapon but did not make contact. He then reversed hastily, trapping another bystander, Jonathan Adamson, between his car and another vehicle. Mr Adamson described a "sharp shooting pain" in his legs.
Jones drove away but was stopped by police. Bodyworn camera footage shows him telling officers to "calm down" before being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
Previous Convictions and Sentencing
Jones has 23 previous convictions for 34 offences, mostly for theft and breaches of court orders. He had five speeding offences between 2022 and 2024, and suspended sentences for assaults in 2016, 2017, and 2019. In interview, he blamed others, claiming he acted in self-defence.
Defence barrister Callum Ross said Jones accepted responsibility for Mrs Donnelly's death and expressed remorse. He added that Jones had surrendered his driving licence and did not wish to drive again.
Judge Simon Medland KC said: "But for your driving, there is every reason to suppose that she would be alive today." He noted Jones's speeding history and the aggressive nature of the Cheshire Oaks incident. Jones was emotional in the dock, wiping his eyes with a tissue.
Jones was also banned from driving for 51 months and ordered to pass an extended retest. Restraining orders prevent him from contacting Mrs Donnelly's family and his victims for seven years.
