A renowned sculptor who killed a Falklands SAS veteran while behind the wheel of her Land Rover has been spared jail.
Christine Baxter, 63, of Tregare, near Usk, Monmouthshire, collided with motorcyclist Darren Gough, on April 29, 2025.
A court heard Baxter ‘failed to check’ for other traffic before turning at a junction in Raglan, Monmouthshire, and consequently smashed into the oncoming ex-special forces soldier.
The 63-year-old, known as Ben, was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being extracted from underneath Baxter’s vehicle, but sadly died two months later.
Prosecutor Jessica Taylor-Goddard: ‘She [Baxter] turned right and collided with the motorcycle which Mr Gough was driving in the opposite direction.
‘The victim was underneath the car and that had to be moved for him to be given medical attention.’
The court heard Baxter carried out the ‘unsafe manoeuvre’ before telling police she ‘didn’t see him’ approaching. She said she spotted Mr Gough just seconds before he skidded under her car.
Baxter pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at a court hearing last month.
Falklands War veteran Darren Gough, 63, was killed when he was knocked off his motorbike by Christine Baxter in her Land Rover
Baxter, 63, admitted to causing death by careless driving in her Land Rover Freelander and has been handed a suspended sentence
In a victim statement, Mr Gough’s daughter said her father was a ‘decorated war hero.’
She said: ‘My father was a military man who dedicated much of his life to serving his country.
‘To us, he was our hero. He was someone we looked up to, relied on and loved deeply.
‘He was funny, impulsive and adventurous. Losing my father has destroyed me.’
The family added they recognised there was ‘no intention’ from Baxter to kill Mr Gough and had ’empathy for the driver’s family.’
Mr Gough’s partner said he had been trained to ride bikes in the military and would have lived a ‘long and happy life.’
The court heard she was in Prague at the time of the collision but rushed home to be with Mr Gough when he was in a critical condition in hospital.
She said: ‘I have an overwhelming feeling of feeling sad all the time. She has taken it all away by knocking Ben off his motorcycle.’
The court heard Baxter employs three people at her sculpting business and has displayed at several independent galleries at cities including Bristol, Cardiff and Salisbury.
Over the last year, her works have been exhibited at a series of garden shows including the National Motor Museum.
She sells garden sculptures, often made of iron, bronze or stone, for up to £4,000 and displays work at her home studio.
Defending, Lynda Rhead told the court Baxter had never been in a collision for the 39 years she had held her driving license.
It was heard that while being interviewed by police, Baxter said: ‘My heart goes out to Mr Gough’s family and wife. I think about them and the collision every day. I am terribly sorry for their loss.’
District Judge Sophie Toms handed Baxter an eight-month suspended sentence. She was also made subject to a 12 week curfew from 8pm to 6am.
The judge said: ‘There was a failure to check, failure to check again and, of course, a failure to “Think Bike”.
‘There was poor judgement and decision making at the time.’
Baxter was disqualified from driving for two years and will have to sit an extended retest.