A Swindon mother who killed her fiancé in a drink-drive crash has avoided prison because she has a 16-year-old son to care for.
Despite facing a potential life sentence for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol, Paula Rendell walked free from court.
The 50-year-old lost control of her Audi A3 as she drove along Kingsdown Road, Swindon, at around 9.48pm on June 17, 2023.
Moments before the crash, the defendant was travelling over a humpback bridge at 58mph in a 40mph zone.
Instead of taking a slight right bend, the vehicle veered into the verge – hitting a concrete foundation, flying into the air and impacting a large tree.
The car landed on its roof, before rolling back onto its wheels and coming to a stop.
Members of the public called 999 after noticing the wreck.
Despite the best efforts of medics, including a critical care team from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, her passenger – 47-year-old Paul Morton – died at the scene.
Rendell of Abbey View Road, Swindon, suffered two upper back fractures and a broken chest plate.
She told emergency workers that she should not have been driving, and was said to be very distressed about the fate of her passenger.
After she failed a breath test, officers arrested her for causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol
During police interview, she described her relationship with Mr Morton as “mad” because they were “either arguing or loved up, mostly loved up”.
At the time, Mr Morton was disqualified from driving and so allowed Rendell to use his car.
She had been unwell the night before the incident and only had two hours of sleep. That day, the couple went to The Moonrakers pub, where she had two vodka and cokes.
Leanne Woodman, prosecuting, said: “She was not expecting to drive again that day. then Paul asked her to drive to a shop, where he bought more alcohol, and then to Stanton Lake.
“After 10 minutes, he suggested they sit in the car and talk and drink. She said no and was keen to go home.
“They had what she described as ‘a stupid little bicker’ and she lost control of the car. She maintained that the alcohol did not affect her.”
Paul’s family sat in court wearing red Liverpool football tops, some of which were adorned with ‘Dad’ and ‘Little Bro’.
His daughters Danielle and Rebecca sobbed as they read out emotional statements about how this sudden loss had affected them.
Danielle said: “When my dad died, it was a big shock, I was numb.
“I struggle to get into cars due to the fear of crashing. I’m terrified that something will happen to my daughter.
“My thoughts keep me awake at night. I think about what my dad would have looked like, which is something that will haunt me forever.
“My dad has had his life taken away from him. He will never see his kids and grandchildren grow, that’s not fair, while Paula still gets to live her life and see her kids.
“I feel sad all the time.”
Rebecca added: “Since my dad died, I’ve cried every day. I have anxiety attacks and night terrors.
“I have dreams about my dad and wake up and then remember that he’s gone, it feels like losing him again.
“I can’t get into a car without feeling scared.
“Telling my daughter that her Bampy is not coming home was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
“My dad was my best friend. He was so proud of my sister and me.
“I feel like I have no-one to turn to and would not wish this pain on my worst enemy. I will never fill the hole he has left in my life.”
In the dock, Rendall stared ahead and did noticeably react to anything that was said.
Emma Handslip, defending, explained that Rendell was the sole carer for her youngest child, a 16-year-old boy, and that jailing her would mean an older sibling with insufficient living space would have to look after him.
This was the deciding factor that stopped the defendant from being sent behind bars.
She had pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol at a Swindon Crown Court hearing on May 3.
Her 20-month custodial sentence has been suspended for two years, she has been banned from driving for six years, and must carry out 250 hours of unpaid work as well as up to 20 rehabilitation activity days.
Judge Jason Taylor KC said: “[Paul] died far too young. His death has left a huge void in all their lives.
“His death was wholly unnecessary and caused by your actions that day. You admitted that you should not have been driving.
“I’m aware that there can be a sense of injustice when Rebecca and Danielle lose their father but I have to consider whether [the 16-year-old] losing his parent for a temporary period is justified.
“A short to medium-term custodial sentence would be disproportionate.”
To Mr Morton’s family, Judge Taylor added: “I fully accept that you will be very disappointed with the sentence I have imposed. Thank you for receiving it in a dignified way.”
On the way out, some of the victim’s tearful relatives remarked, ‘This is wrong’ and ‘She took his life’.
