A driver who killed a grandmother while speeding and later brandished a hammer during a terrifying road rage attack at a shopping centre has been jailed for 51 months. Neil Jones, 48, of Morningside Road, Norris Green, Liverpool, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after admitting causing death by careless driving, dangerous driving, making threats with an offensive weapon and two counts of assault.
Fatal collision in Bootle
Linda Donnelly, 72, known as Lin, was crossing Brewster Street in Bootle at around 7.45pm on December 12, 2024, when she was struck by Jones' Ford Focus. CCTV footage showed her reaching the central reservation and continuing across the second section of the dual carriageway. She was in the road for about four seconds before the collision. A taxi driver behind Jones' vehicle saw something fly into the air, and other motorists stopped to administer first aid. Jones told witnesses, 'I hit her, I hit her. It was an accident.' He appeared extremely upset and was heard saying, 'Oh my God, oh my God.' In a phone call, he claimed it was 'really dark and he couldn't see anything,' and later told police that the victim 'just ran out in front of his car.' However, prosecutor Zahra Baqri stated, 'The footage clearly shows that Mrs Donnelly did not run into the road.'
Speeding factor
Investigations revealed Jones was traveling at approximately 45mph (between 39mph and 51mph) on the 30mph road. Ms Baqri argued, 'If the defendant had been travelling at the legal limit of 30mph, the tragedy could have been avoided.' Mrs Donnelly lived metres from the scene. Her husband was alerted but did not initially realize his wife was involved. Paramedics attempted resuscitation, but she was pronounced dead at Aintree Hospital due to multiple injuries. Jones had five speeding convictions in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and had previously received suspended sentences for assaults.
Road rage at Cheshire Oaks
Just over a year later, on December 23, 2025, retired police officer Martin Alwyn was at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in Ellesmere Port with his sons and grandchildren, aged five and nine. As they crossed the road toward a restaurant, Jones drove toward them at speed. Mr Alwyn said Jones narrowly missed his son by inches and seemed to make no effort to slow down. His son Mark Brough threw soft toys at Jones' car to get his attention. Jones slammed on his brakes, parked in a disabled bay, and got out in a rage. He shouted, 'What have you done to my f***ing car? I'll f***ing kick your head in.' He pushed Mr Alwyn in the chest, causing him to stumble, and punched both Mr Alwyn and Mr Brough, who was holding his young child at the time. The children became visibly distressed.
Hammer threat
Witness Mark Kimpton tried to intervene, but Jones produced a claw hammer from his boot. He brandished it above his head and charged at Mr Kimpton, swinging the hammer at least twice. Fortunately, he did not make contact. Jones then seemed to realize the gravity of his actions and returned to his car. Security staff and members of the public surrounded his vehicle. Feeling trapped, Jones reversed, colliding with another car and momentarily trapping Jonathan Adamson between the two vehicles. Mr Adamson screamed in pain as his legs were pinned. Jones reversed again, causing further pain, then drove off.
Defendant's background and remorse
Jones has 23 previous convictions for 34 offences, mostly theft and breaches of court orders. Defending, Callum Ross said Jones accepts responsibility for Mrs Donnelly's death and will have to live with it for the rest of his life. He expressed remorse and noted that Jones has surrendered his driving licence and never intends to drive again. He also mentioned Jones' caring responsibilities for his disabled cousin and his four children. Jones was diagnosed with depression and was medicated.
Sentencing
Judge Simon Medland KC said, 'It was dark because of the time of night, but there was nothing external to your driving which contributed to the outcome. The careless driving which caused Mrs Donnelly's death was that you exceeded the speed limit by about 50%. But for your driving, there is every reason to suppose that she would be alive today.' He acknowledged Jones' genuine remorse but highlighted his bad antecedents, including the five speeding offences before the fatal crash. He also noted the similar dangerous driving a year later at Cheshire Oaks. Jones was sentenced to 51 months in prison, banned from driving for 51 months, and ordered to pass an extended re-test. Restraining orders were imposed for seven years preventing contact with Mrs Donnelly's family and the victims of the second incident.
