Woman admits killing man, 63, after his mobility scooter was stolen
A woman who assaulted an elderly Parkinson’s sufferer, robbed him of his mobility scooter and left him to die in sub-zero temperatures has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
Kimberley Ann Hawkins, 41, of no fixed address, admitted the charge at Bristol Crown Court following the death of Neil Shadwick in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in January last year.
Mr Shadwick, 63, was found unresponsive in the car park of a Tesco Superstore on Stratford Road on January 22, without his mobility scooter, which he used as his mode of transport.
A member of the public discovered Mr Shadwick shortly before 6am. Emergency services were called and he was rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where he sadly died later the same day.
Hawkins appeared via video link from prison to the hearing at Bristol Crown Court, where she spoke to confirm her name and reply ‘guilty’ when the charge was read to her.
Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, adjourned the case for sentencing on a date to be fixed.
Kimberley Ann Hawkins, 41, had already admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm
Neil Shadwick, 63, (pictured) died after being found unresponsive in a Tesco car park. His mobility scooter had been stolen
He told Hawkins, who is of no fixed address: ‘Ms Hawkins, we need to obtain more information before a decision is made as to what sentences should be passed on you for these offences.
‘That will include the probation service wanting to speak with you to prepare a report to advise me about what their assessment of you and your past and potential is.
‘It will also enable any other matters to be got by your lawyers to present to me in mitigation.
‘The prosecution will need time to submit any statements of family members of Neil Shadwick to express and explain the impact upon them of his death.
‘The matter will be listed before me to sentence you. We can’t fix the date yet. It is going to be in August.
‘You are going to be remanded in custody in the meantime.’
Kimberley Ann Hawkins, 41, had been remanded in custody, charged with manslaughter for the death of Mr Shadwick who suffered from Parkinson’s
A security video clip showed a man believed to be Mr Shadwick driving up to a cashpoint with a woman in a long grey coat on the back of his scooter
The man believed to be Mr Shadwick is pictured at a cashpoint while the unnamed woman stands metres away and looks agitated
CCTV footage previously released by police showed Mr Shadwick driving up to a cashpoint in the early hours of the morning with a woman also riding on the scooter.
He appeared to withdraw cash while the woman waited nearby.
Police said Hawkins rode away on the mobility scooter, leaving Mr Shadwick behind in sub-zero temperatures.
Mary Cowe appeared for the prosecution, while Sarah Jenkins represented Hawkins.
Hawkins previously admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, in relation to the incident, in April 2023.
Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: ‘Hawkins’ sickening actions had tragically fatal consequences for a man whom she knew full well to be extremely vulnerable.
‘I welcome her guilty plea, which has meant that Mr Shadwick’s family at least have not had to endure a lengthy trial in court.
‘Our thoughts remain with his family at this very difficult time.’
