A road safety instructor who was driving at almost twice the speed limit when he hit and killed a pedestrian, who was carried 136ft on his bonnet, has avoided jail.
Martin Hayward, 55, was driving his Audi A4 at up to 56mph in a 30mph zone when Clare Munn stepped out on to a crossing.
Hayward hit Miss Munn, carrying her 136ft (41m) on his bonnet, and she died at the scene.
But he was not sent to prison and walked away with a suspended sentence.
Prosecutor Rebecca Fairbairn said if Hayward had been driving at the speed limit, he would have been able to stop in time.
A former taxi driver, Hayward was ‘flying’ down the road before he collided with the 45-year-old, who had just left a BP garage.
He overtook cars before hitting Miss Munn, who died at the scene, while travelling at between 40 and 50mph.
A police expert said Hayward was driving between 44 and 56mph on Bitterne Road West in Southampton on May 2 2022 around 10.05pm.
Martin Hayward was found guilty of death by dangerous driving at Southampton Crown Court
Clare Munn died at the scene after being carried 136ft (41m) on the bonnet of Hayward’s Audi A4
He was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving at Southampton Crown Court after denying the charge and was sentenced to 34 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.
The National Highways road safety supervisor must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Hayward was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and must pay a fine of £4,500.
He had worked as a taxi driver in Southampton for 17 years before starting as a road safety supervisor.
In a statement read to the court Miss Munn’s mother Geraldine said: ‘Losing my daughter devastated me in ways I can’t fully express.
‘A precious life has been taken and my own life will never be the same again.’
She said she missed her daughter ‘every single day’ and added Clare’s brother Andrew, who is autistic but had been living independently, had a mental breakdown after her death.
He now requires assisted living.
Pictured: the junction on Bitterne Road West, Southampton, where Hayward collided with Miss Munn
Andrew Houston, defending, asked the court to consider a community order instead of a jail sentence saying Hayward, who has no previous convictions, was a ‘reliable, hard-working individual’.
He said the defendant was ‘remorseful’ and ‘very sorry that Miss Munn has lost her life’.
Judge William Mousley KC found Hayward was driving over the speed limit despite being familiar with the road.
He also noted Miss Munn was known to mental health services and police as someone who walked into the road asking for money.
After the sentencing Miss Munn’s family said they respected the legal process but the outcome ‘does not lessen the grief we feel, nor does it bring back the person we loved so deeply’.
‘We want to express our sincere thanks to the emergency services and members of the public who assisted at the scene, as well as to everyone who has supported our family throughout this incredibly difficult time.
‘Your compassion has been a source of strength.’
The family also asked for privacy as they ‘continue to grieve and attempt to rebuild our lives without our daughter’.
PC Rebecca Starks said: ‘Speed kills, and Clare would not have died if the defendant was driving at the speed limit.
‘The defendant’s driving fell below the standards anyone would expect of a competent and careful driver.’