Driver who killed woman 'ignored medical advice'

Alan Parish was driving on Ashlawn Road, in Rugby, when he suffered a medical episode behind the wheel

A man has been jailed for causing the death of a woman after he ignored, police said, doctors' advice and suffered a medical episode while driving.

Alan Parish, 74, of Lodge Road in Rugby, crashed into a car on Ashlawn Road in the town in August 2024, killing his passenger Marguerite Thomas and also causing serious injuries to the driver of the other vehicle.

At Birmingham Crown Court in September, Parish pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injuries by dangerous driving.

He appeared at the same court on 12 November where he was handed a prison sentence of four years and six months for the death of Ms Thomas.

An additional sentence of two years and three months for the other offence is to run concurrently.

The judge also banned Parish from driving for more than seven years.

Warwickshire Police said Parish had been warned by doctors not to drive and to notify the DVLA of that advice, but he had not acted on it.

Det Const Francine Brown said: "Our thoughts are with the families affected. They have shown incredible strength, though we recognise that the sentence can never reflect the devastation caused."