Delivery driver jailed for causing woman's death

The family of Murdoch's victim said he had shown "no remorse" for what he had done

A delivery driver who continued on his rounds after an incident that led to the death of a 77-year-old woman has been jailed.

James Murdoch, of Jacques Terrace in Chester-le-Street, called the emergency services but carried on with his deliveries after causing Victoria Blair to fall in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, on 27 January 2023.

The 43-year-old was jailed for 16 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving in September.

His victim, who had been walking nearby with a frame, was taken to hospital in a critical condition and died a week later.

The prosecution case was either that Murdoch had hit Ms Blair with his van or that his reversing manoeuvre had caused her to fall, Northumbria Police said.

When traced, Murdoch told police she had fallen behind his vehicle as he started to reverse out of a car park.

CCTV footage and forensic inquiries found Ms Blair had been walking nearby as she returned home from the shops, using a frame for support.

Victoria Blair had been walking near Murdoch's vehicle

Murdoch was also given a 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Ms Blair's son and daughter said that Murdoch had not shown any remorse for what he had done.

"Mam, we love you always and will never forget you, and you live on in us every day," they added.

Sgt Andrew Ferguson of Northumbria Police, expressed his "deepest sympathies" to the victim's relatives and praised the "significant strength they have shown throughout the lengthy investigation and the proceedings which followed".

Update 14 November 2025: This article has been updated, following receipt of new information from Northumbria Police, to remove references to Ms Blair being knocked over.