Southampton man jailed for killing Wyke Regis woman

Edgaras Kondratas, 41, from Southampton, had been collecting bags of clothes on behalf of a charity when he reversed his van over pedestrian Sylvia Bentley before moving forward and hitting her again.

The victim's daughter has spoken about how loved her mother was both in the family and in the community.

Following the fatal crash in Wooland Gardens, Wyke Regis on May 2, 2023, the defendant had denied causing death by driving his van without due care and consideration while over the specified limit for a controlled drug (cannabis).

A jury found him guilty by unanimous verdict in September.

The judge heard that Kondratas has three other motoring convictions - including one just 16 days after the fatal crash, for using a mobile phone at the wheel.

His other convictions are for speeding and running a red traffic signal.

He was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday to three years in prison, of which he is expected to serve half.

He has been disqualified from driving for three years and must complete an extended driving test.

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At the sentencing hearing, Mrs Bentley's daughter Alice Bentley read a victim statement, in which she referred to her mother as a kind and attentive grandmother, well-loved by the community of which she was an active member.

Ms Bentley said: "Mum is gone but she should still be here and we miss her every day. Nothing can soften the blow of that phone call on May 2.

"She is missed by so many and her death has shocked a warm and loving community."

The court heard that Sylvia Bentley campaigned to establish playgroups in Wyke Regis, was a member of the South Dorset Ramblers and was a volunteer at the former Weymouth Tourist Information Centre.

She was to turn 95 just two weeks after her death and had been looking forward to visiting family in Dublin.

Alice Bentley said she is sure the defendant is 'haunted' by the experience -and hoped the incident would serve as a reminder to anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle that a 'moment's inattention can lead to a death'.

Wooland Gardens (Image: Tom Lawrence)

The judge, His Honour Judge Mousley KC said: "She (Sylvia Bentley) had lived a long and active life. She was a well-known figure in the community and was often seen walking around, and much enjoyed always being impeccably dressed.

"Her dying was a tragedy in the truest sense of the word."

It was heard that Lithuanian Kondratas has been living in the UK for 12 years and is a married father of two.

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Kondratas had been collecting bags when he stopped his van at the end of a cul-de-sac in Wooland Gardens.

He stopped the van, which had its front tyres on the pavement, and stepped out to collect a bag from a nearby property.

When he returned, he failed to see Mrs Bentley had walked onto the road behind the van, most likely to get past the vehicle due to its position on the pavement.

Kondratas reversed over her before moving forward, hitting her again, only realising what had happened when he got out of the vehicle.

The collision caused 'catastrophic' head injuries to Mrs Bentley.

Kondratas, of Peartree Close, Southampton, was found to have 2.8 micrograms of THC (cannabis) in his blood; the legal limit is 2 micrograms.

He told the jury at his trial he smoked cannabis the day before and not on the day of the incident.