Death crash family calls for 'independent' investigation

The family of a woman killed in a hit-and-run is calling for an independent investigation into why the driver had been released from jail.

Gwen Valentine, who was 62 from Winchester in Hampshire, was walking by the side of the road with family and friends at Tholt-y-Will in April when she was hit by a car.

It was driven by 30 year-old Donovan Kitching from St John's who was yesterday (Thursday) sentenced to 10 years and 72 days in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and other charges.

Kitching had been released early from prison just three weeks previously and was over the drink-drive limit at the time of the crash.

When initially arrested on suspicion of drink driving, he assaulted a police officer before driving away at speed.

Gwen's son, Stuart Valentine, has called for changes to the Island's prison and probation procedures and can’t understand why Kitching's potential to reoffend went unnoticed by the prison authorities.