2 weeks Ago
A DRIVER who caused the death of a motorcyclist described as a hero of the Manchester Arena bombing has been warned she could receive a prison sentence next month. Jacqueline Higson had been due to stand trial next year on a charge of causing the death of 54-year-old Darron Coster by dangerous driving after she denied that offence at a hearing in August. But her case was listed at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday and prosecutor Alasdair Campbell confirmed that her guilty plea to the alternative charge of causing death by careless driving was acceptable.
The Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge Jonathan Rose confirmed that Higson would no longer have to face a trial next April and she would be sentenced on November 26. Judge Rose imposed an interim driving ban on Higson and extended her bail until her sentence hearing. The judge told Higson, 65, of Robinson Street, Chatburn, Lancashire, that the fact he was adjourning for a pre-sentence report and granting her bail was no indication of the sentence he would impose next month and all options, including an immediate prison sentence, would be available to the court.
Mr Coster, 54, a Royal Military Police veteran, died following a collision with a car on Jack Lane, Wigglesworth - a village northwest of Skipton - back in July 2021. Mr Coster, from Accrington, was said to have used his military first aid training to treat casualties of the bombing and he also closed the doors to protect onlookers from trauma. Sir John Saunders, chair of the inquiry, said at the time of Mr Coster’s death: ”I described him at the conclusion of his evidence as a hero for what he did on the night of May 2022, 2017, and I don’t think anyone could or would disagree with that description.
” A family statement following Mr Coster’s death described him as a proud army veteran and a devoted husband and father. Seven years ago Mr Coster had donated his kidney to his brother which had saved his life. “Darron made friends wherever he went and was always helping others.
He has been described as a 'hero' for what he has done. To us, he was our world and we are devastated by his death." said his family.
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