A driver caused a fatal crash which claimed the life of a much-loved family man and keen motorcyclist after taking to the road with the bonnet of his car tied down by a bungee cord.
Terance Jenkins had fitted an over-sized van radiator to his Ford Focus and removed the bonnet locking mechanisms, then used a length of bungee to secure the bonnet. As he drove to his father's house the bungee failed, and the bonnet flipped open and smashed windscreen - the defendant responded by performing an emergency stop, and moments later motorcyclist James Huxtable ploughed into the back of the stationary car. The biker suffered serious chest injuries in the collision and died at the scene.
Following the death of 41-year-old Aston Martin factory worker Mr Huxtable his wife described how "he loved to go out for a ride on his motorbike, but always said that he loved to be at home with the family", and she said his passing had "left a hole in our lives and hearts that was only meant for him".
Jenkins was charged with causing death by dangerous driving by denied responsibility, arguing he genuinely believed his car had been safe to be on the road. He was convicted at Swansea Crown Court following a three day trial.
READ MORE: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter
The court heard that Jenkins' 2005 Ford Focus was suffering from an overheating problem, and on September 6, 2021, he removed the radiator from the vehicle - as part of that process he removed the front grill and headlights, and the part of engine bay housing containing the bonnet locking mechanisms and "slam plate". The following day he fitted the radiator from his LDV van to the car and secured the bonnet with a bungee cord which he tied and wrapped around the subframe of the vehicle. He then set off from his home in Duffryn Rhondda in the Afan Valley to his father's house in nearby Croeserw.
The court heard that shortly after joining the A4107 Afan Valley road and just after exiting from a sweeping left-hand bend the bungee failed and the bonnet flew open, flipping backwards and smashing into the defendant's windscreen. Jenkins responded by "slamming" on his brakes and coming to a halt on the carriageway. Moments later 41-year-old Mr Huxtable, who was also heading up the Afan Valley, came around the bend and crashed into the back of the stationary car. Despite the best efforts of fellow motorists who performed CPR and of firefighters and paramedics who responded to a 999 call the biker could not be saved, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was the prosecution case that the state of Jenkins' car was inherently dangerous, and that the danger it posed to others must have been obvious. James Hartson, for the prosecution, said the defendant had been "playing fast and loose" with his own life and lives of other road users by driving the car in the condition it was in. He described the defendant as a "bodger" who had fitted a radiator which was too large for the car and then tied the bonnet down with a cord "in the same way you tie a shoe lace". The barrister said the defendant didn't have the guts to take responsibility for what he had done and that he was "in denial about the sheer stupidity and recklessness" of his actions.
Jenkins denied responsibility for the fatal crash, saying he had secured the bonnet and had tested it before driving. The 45-year-old said he believed the car was safe to be on the road, and said if he had thought it was in a dangerous state he would not have driven it. He also said the Afan Valley road was a "dangerous" road where motorbikes often travelled at speed.
The court heard that when Jenkins' Focus was examined following the collision the vehicle was found to have a non-standard radiator that protruded above the engine bay and prevented the bonnet from closing and locking, and was lacking any bonnet locking mechanisms or "slam plate". A catalogue of other issues were also found including the exhaust pipe being detached from the bracket, no front indicators, headlights or grill, the horn not working, and a "significant" oil leak in the engine. The court heard at least seven of the issues found on the car would have resulted in police issuing an immediate "prohibition notice" on the car banning it from being driven had it been stopped on the road. An examination of Mr Huxtable's Yamaha bike found no defects.
After deliberating for three and three-quarter hours the jury found Jenkins, of Afan Road, Duffryn Rhondda, Afan Valley, guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Jurors were then told about the defendant's previous convictions - he has 14 previous convictions for 76 offences "the majority" of which relate to motoring matters including three of driving with no insurance, five of driving with excess alcohol, and six of driving while disqualified.
Sentencing was adjourned to July 28 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and Jenkins was released on bail. Judge Huw Rees told him: "You should prepare yourself for a sentence of imprisonment. I warn you now, it will be a sentence of a substantial length."
Following Mr Huxtable's death his wife, Ashleigh, paid tribute to him. She said: "He was a loving husband, father and step father to Laezena, Dafydd, Duncan, Eleri and Valentine. He was a very hard working, passionate, loving and sensitive man who wore his heart on his sleeve.
"If you knew him well, you would know how wicked his sense of humour was. He loved to go out for a ride on his motorbike, but always said that he loved to be at home with the family who he loved so dearly. His passing has left a hole in our lives and hearts that was only meant for him.
"He will be sorely missed by all his family, friends and work colleagues at the Aston Martin factory in St Athan."
