Courier who ran over and killed clergyman in Canterbury after failing to stop at Give Way junction spared jail

A courier who ran over and killed a pensioner after failing to stop at a Give Way junction has been spared jail.

Kiran Kaur struck Reverend Iain Taylor with her van as he crossed Station Road West in Canterbury while on his way to a retreat for respite from caring for his dementia-stricken wife.

Kiran Kaur admitted causing the death by careless driving of Reverend Iain Taylor in Canterbury

The 79-year-old clergyman, who was well-known in the city through both his work and faith, had been planning to catch a train from Canterbury West station for the four-day trip.

It was the only break he took each year from looking after his 92-year-old wife, Doris, at their home in The Causeway.

But as Rev Taylor – described as “a most careful pedestrian” – pulled his wheeled suitcase across the road, Kaur drove through a Give Way junction outside the station and into his path, trapping him beneath her Vauxhall Vivaro van.

The 47-year-old, who was employed to collect blood samples, later told police she had not seen him in the road, despite CCTV footage showing he would have been visible for almost 10 seconds.

The mum initially denied causing death by careless driving and was due to stand trial at Canterbury Crown Court in July this year but she pleaded guilty before a jury was sworn.

Iain Taylor and his beloved wife Doris celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in 2020. Mrs Taylor died three months after her husband’s death. Picture: Liz Sharp

Returning for sentencing on Friday, it was revealed that Rev Taylor’s widow had herself died just three months later on the eve of what would have been his 80th birthday.

The couple, described as devoted and inspirational, had been married 51 years and relatives told the court Mrs Taylor simply gave up as she “just wanted to be with him”.

Such was the reverend’s dedication to his wife that it prompted Judge Mark Weekes to movingly remark during proceedings: “He held faithful to his promise made so many years before to have and to hold her both in sickness and health, and both to love and cherish her all the days of their lives until death finally parted them.”

It was just after midday on September 28, 2021, that the collision occurred, prosecutor Mark Mullins told the court.

Kaur, who had held a UK driving licence for two months but an Indian one for some 20 years, had been parked in her delivery van in the layby outside the station.

She then pulled away from the kerb towards the exit with her right indicator on. But instead of stopping at the dotted lines at the junction she continued straight into the road.

Although she was driving at no more than 4mph, she failed to see Rev Taylor, who had been in the road for approximately 8.6 seconds at the time he was hit.

The pensioner then fell to the ground as the Vivaro continued forward and over him.

Passers-by, including an off-duty firefighter, tried to help but sadly the minister died at the scene.

A collision investigator later concluded that although it was possible he had been obscured from Kaur’s view by the van’s offside ‘A’ pillar, it could not be determined with certainty “if, when or for how long”, the prosecutor explained.

The tragedy sparked a large emergency response in Station Road West, Canterbury. Picture: Susan Demir

Furthermore, the van was still in the layby and some distance from the exit when the clergyman had first stepped into the road.

CCTV analysis also showed that he would have had “minimal and insufficient” time to take avoiding action as the van drove through the junction.

When interviewed by police, Kaur, from MIddlesex, said she looked both ways as she turned right out of the station and did not know where Rev Taylor had appeared from.

“She realised something had happened when ‘something banged’. Then somebody told her there was a man underneath the van,” Mr Mullins told the court.

“When shown the CCTV she said ‘So why didn’t I see him? I’m sure, I’m surprised’. She didn’t understand why she hadn’t seen him.”

As well as there being no evidence of mobile phone usage, alcohol, drugs, adverse weather or vehicle defects. Kaur also knew the road well, had a clean driving licence and no previous convictions.

Mr Mullins said Kaur’s driving fell below that of a competent, careful driver in that she had “failed to detect a pedestrian who was available to be seen”.

“It is plain the Vivaro van did not stop at the Give Way junction. The CCTV recording of the collision is compelling evidence that she did not give way to Rev Taylor, who had right of way as he walked across the carriageway,” he told the court.

“The prosecution maintains that the careful and competent driver would have taken extra care to ensure there were no pedestrians in front of her by stopping at the junction and making sure there was no one in the blind spot caused by the A pillar before turning into Station Road West.”

Rev Taylor had lived all his life in Canterbury, was an active member of the St Dunstan’s Old Scholars Association and served as a minister of St Peter’s Church having been ordained in 2003, which was described as “the fulfilment of his life’s ambition”.

It is plain the Vivaro van did not stop at the Give Way junction. The CCTV recording of the collision is compelling evidence that she did not give way to Rev Taylor, who had right of way as he walked across the carriageway…

He had also worked for many years as a gentleman’s outfitter at Deakin & Sons clothing stores in Canterbury and Ramsgate.

The pensioner was said to have “never complained once” about the caring role he took on after his wife suffered a minor stroke in 2015 and then developed vascular dementia.

Tributes described him as a “true gentleman” who was “loved by many for his kindness, compassion and wisdom”.

At the time of the tragedy, he was said to be “greatly looking forward” to the retreat in Hastings, with Mrs Taylor being looked after by her niece, Liz Sharp, and her husband, Steven, in his absence.

But speaking in court, they spoke of the devastating impact of his death, and their belief that the loss of a “husband and soulmate” led to Mrs Taylor’s own deterioration in health, with her grief all the more worsened by having to be repeatedly told due to her dementia that he had died.

“I believe that losing Uncle hastened her death. In her mind, what did she have to live for?” reflected Mrs Sharp.

Kaur could be heard crying in the dock throughout much of the hearing. She has since been diagnosed with PTSD and told a probation officer how she feels she has “a noose around her neck”.

In a letter read to the court, she expressed her deep remorse and apologised to Rev Taylor’s family, saying she had prayed for his soul to rest in peace ever since.

“I cannot begin to explain the guilt I feel and will always feel for the rest of my life, which is perhaps what I deserve,” she wrote.

Explaining why, despite such remorse, it had taken so long to admit responsibility, defence barrister Bethan Rodgers said it had been “indescribably hard” for Kaur to come to terms with the fact that, although it was an accident, it was one which was a consequence of her actions.

Iain Taylor with wife Doris at his ordainment. Picture: Liz Sharp

Ms Rogers also told the court that Kaur, who was supported by her daughters at the hearing, had suffered domestic abuse throughout her marriage.

Urging the court to spare her immediate custody, she added: “This lady has shown profound remorse for what she has done. It may be delayed but when it comes it has been eloquent and full of meaning.

“This is a woman who can be appropriately punished over and above the punishment she has already suffered.”

Kaur, of Wentworth Crescent, Hayes, was handed a nine-month jail term suspended for 18 months, and a year-long driving ban.

Judge Weekes said he had taken strong personal mitigation, previous good character and a realistic prospect of rehabilitation into consideration, as well as her vulnerability from being in an abusive relationship.

But he told Kaur that by not accepting responsibility sooner for “what was always abundantly plain”, she had prolonged the suffering of Rev Taylor’s family and friends.

“It is clear to me from all that I have read and heard that Rev Iain Taylor was a much-loved, distinguished and widely-respected man,” he said.

“It’s clear his loss is felt very keenly by those who knew him well. In the words of one, he was wise and steadfast and a true gentleman whose presence to this day is still very sorely missed.”

Kaur was also ordered to pay £900 towards the prosecution costs as well as carry out 280 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirements.