Woman admits killing mobility scooter user found dead in Tesco car park
A woman has admitted to killing a mobility scooter user outside a Tesco supermarket after leaving him unconscious in the freezing cold.
Kimberley Ann Hawkins, 41, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Neil Shadwick at Bristol Crown Court today.
The 63-year-old died following an incident in a store car park in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on January 22 last year.
He was found unresponsive in the car park and without his scooter, which he relied on as his mode of transport, at around 6am.
Mr Shadwick was rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital but died later that same day.
Detectives found that Hawkins drove away from the scene on Mr Shadwick’s mobility scooter, leaving him behind in sub-zero temperatures.
His abandoned scooter was found more than one mile away from the Stratford Road superstore in Bisley Old Road by a member of public at around 8am.
Hawkins appeared via video link from prison where she spoke to confirm her name and reply ‘guilty’ when the charge was read to her.
She had previously admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the incident in April 2023.
Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, adjourned the case for sentencing on a date to be fixed.
He told Hawkins: ‘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.’
Judge Blair KC added: ‘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.’
Detective inspector Adam Stacey, from Gloucestershire Police, said: ‘Hawkins’s 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.’
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