Albanian man to face trial after denying causing death of Tom Wallace by dangerous driving in crash on A289 Gads Hill, Gillingham

A man will face trial after denying killing a "respected and loved" great-grandad by dangerous driving. Dental surgeon Tom Wallace died on A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham[1] at around 12.10pm on December 29 in a hit-and-run crash.

Tom Wallace was killed following a crash on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham on December 29. Picture: Kent Police

Today (January 30), at Maidstone[2] Crown Court, Albert Matraxhiu of Orange Hill, Edgware, denied causing Mr Wallace's death by dangerous driving. The 29-year-old did admit a lesser charge of causing his death by careless driving.

But Prosecutor Ryan Richter said this was "unacceptable" to the Crown who called for a trial on the dangerous driving charge. Judge Julian Smith accepted this and a five-day trial was set for July 13 on the dangerous driving charge. Matraxhiu had admitted to perverting the course of justice, and co-defendant Erald Paci, 29, of Five Way Court in Chatham, admitted the same charge.

Albanian national Albert Matraxhiu, 29, of Orange Hill Road, Edgware, denied causing death by dangerous driving. Picture: UKNIP

Co-defendant and Albanian national Erald Paci, 29, of Five Way Court, Chatham, admitted perverting the course of justice in relation to the death of 89-year-old Tom Wallace

The court heard how the men, who are both Albanian nationals, abandoned the car after it struck Mr Wallace, as well as taking the number plates from it.

Both men have been remanded in custody until the trial is over.

Mr Wallace, a dad-of-three who worked in the Medway Towns all his working life, was hit by a Mercedes estate car near the junction of Gads Hill and Waterside Lane. He was allegedly carried on the roof of the vehicle for one and a half miles before he was found fatally injured in the road.

Pier Road in Gillingham is closed from The Strand Roundabout to Grange Roundabout

A postman and nearby resident rushed to his aid, and an ambulance crew arrived to treat him, but he was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The family later shared their thanks to the residents and postman who tried to help in Grange Road, describing them as "compassionate and kind".

They also paid tribute to the grandfather-of-four[3] who had been married for 63 years and had become a great-grandad just before his death. "He loved his family dearly and was loved by them in return," they said. "He sailed his boat up and down the east coast, and across the Channel to France, usually single-handed.

Floral tributes left in Grange Road, Gillingham, for Tom Wallace, who died near Gads Hill and Waterside Lane in the town

"For years, he was a bell-ringer at the church on Gillingham Green.

He was a Samaritan for many years, raised money for the NSPCC and undertook several European cycling tours to raise funds for Marie Curie. "He was a respected and loved member of the community and deserved a better end to his life than this."

Judge Smith addressed members of his family, who were in court today. He said: "The process today will have felt unpleasant and detached.

"We do not take any of this lightly."

References

1. ^ Gillingham (www.kentonline.co.uk)
2. ^ Maidstone (www.kentonline.co.uk)
3. ^ tribute to the grandfather-of-four (www.kentonline.co.uk)