Businesswoman going through jail after working over and killing child in pushchair suffers ‘coronary heart assault’ hours earlier than she is due in court docket

A businesswoman who is facing jail after running over and killing a baby in a pushchair has suffered from a suspected heart attack just hours before she was due in court.

‘Smiley and happy’ baby girl Mabli Cariad Hall – the youngest of six children – was being placed into her pram by her father Rob when wealthy Bridget Curtis’ BMW crashed into her. 

The eight-month-old baby, whose first name is Welsh for ‘lovable’ and middle name means ‘love’, died four days later after suffering from severe brain injuries.

Mabli died in her parents arms after her injuries were ‘too severe’ to overcome.

Curtis, 70, admitted causing Mabli’s death by dangerous driving in the tragedy outside Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pemrokeshire, West Wales.

The company director of one of Wales’s biggest chicken farms was due to appear at Swansea Crown Court today for sentence but fell ill and was assessed in hospital for a suspected heart attack.

The judge adjourned the sentencing to a date to be fixed but ordered an administrative hearing be held in two weeks time so the court could receive an update on Curtis’ health.

Mabli’s family previously said ‘every day is a day of pain for us’ but spoke of the need to be strong for their other children, even at the ‘most horrendous time of our lives’.

In a touching tribute, her parents said their ‘angel’ had ‘brought us so much joy in her short life’.

Judge Geraint Walters KC said Curtis had been in hospital since ‘before breakfast this morning’ and that her legal team had not heard any further prognosis.

The judge said both Mabli’s family and relatives of Curtis had been told the case would not go ahead in the hours before the hearing given that ‘there were a number of people likely to attend court from both sides’ but barristers had alerted staff.

Curtis had previously pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court.

After the charging was announced, Mabli’s family said: ‘This last year has been the most horrendous time of our lives. Our family life has been changed forever and to this day we are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.

‘Every day is a day of pain for us, even now, but as parents we still have to give the love and support our other children need as they are still trying to come to terms with losing their baby sister.’

They thanked police for their ‘diligence and professionalism over the last year and for how they have explained each step to us on our very difficult journey,’ they added: ‘Their patience and support has been invaluable.’

‘The support offered by the 2Wish charity has been invaluable in assisting us as a family.

‘We are grateful that we have now reached this stage of the process. We understand we have more to come but this is the biggest step forward we’ve had since June last year.

‘We want to thank our friends, family and well-wishers and who have supported us throughout this challenging time and will continue to support us as things progress.

‘We will never forget that love and support shown to us and for the memory of our precious angel, Mabli Cariad.’

An inquest previously heard Mabli was hit by the white BMW outside Withybush Hospital.

Little Mabli was airlifted to hospital in Cardiff before she died from her injuries four days later at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

The inquest heard she died from a severe traumatic brain injury after she was hit by the driver in front of horrified witnesses.

Police previously said the driver of the BMW suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital along with their passenger and a pedestrian.

Police were called to the scene at 11.50am over reports a car had smashed into pedestrians outside the main hospital entrance.

After her death last month, parents Rob and Gwen said Mabli brought them ‘so much joy’ and had a ‘beautiful smile.’

They said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken by the death of our beautiful baby girl Mabli.

‘She was adored by us and her five siblings and brought us so much joy in her short life.

‘We will always remember Mabli’s beautiful little smile and cherish the time we had with her.’