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Runaway van's brake had 'defect' Runaway van's brake had 'defect'
(20 minutes later)
An expert has told a court how the handbrake of a delivery van, which careered down a hill killing a man and ploughing into a house, had a defect.An expert has told a court how the handbrake of a delivery van, which careered down a hill killing a man and ploughing into a house, had a defect.
Newport Crown Court has heard how driver Glenn Haggerty, 36, had parked the van at the top of a steep hill in Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent.Newport Crown Court has heard how driver Glenn Haggerty, 36, had parked the van at the top of a steep hill in Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent.
After he got out to deliver parcels, the van then "careered" down the hill crushing to death Wilfred Rogers, 85.After he got out to deliver parcels, the van then "careered" down the hill crushing to death Wilfred Rogers, 85.
Mr Haggerty, of Merthyr Tydfil, denies causing death by dangerous driving.Mr Haggerty, of Merthyr Tydfil, denies causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard Mr Rogers' body was only discovered six hours after the crash by the tenant of the damaged house who had been allowed back in and was searching through rubble.The court heard Mr Rogers' body was only discovered six hours after the crash by the tenant of the damaged house who had been allowed back in and was searching through rubble.
The jury heard from Robert Mitchum, a vehicle examiner who had inspected the van following the incident.The jury heard from Robert Mitchum, a vehicle examiner who had inspected the van following the incident.
"When I parked the vehicle on a slope, it was immediately evidenced to me there was a problem," he told the court. "When I parked the vehicle on a slope, it was immediately evident to me there was a problem," he told the court.
'Rubble''Rubble'
He said he noticed that the handbrake could be pulled as far as it was possible to pull and added: "If a vehicle had come to me for a service I would have identified a defect with the handbrake."He said he noticed that the handbrake could be pulled as far as it was possible to pull and added: "If a vehicle had come to me for a service I would have identified a defect with the handbrake."
The court has heard how in December last year, Mr Haggerty was delivering parcels in the area when he parked up on Heolgerrig, opposite houses in Rhiw Park Mews.The court has heard how in December last year, Mr Haggerty was delivering parcels in the area when he parked up on Heolgerrig, opposite houses in Rhiw Park Mews.
The van had been parked on a steep slopeThe van had been parked on a steep slope
He got out and went around to the passenger side where he slid back the side door to get the parcel, the jury was told.He got out and went around to the passenger side where he slid back the side door to get the parcel, the jury was told.
"It would appear that act of sliding open the door caused the vehicle to move and it began to move backwards of its own volition and started to run back the way it had come," prosecutor Hywel Hughes said."It would appear that act of sliding open the door caused the vehicle to move and it began to move backwards of its own volition and started to run back the way it had come," prosecutor Hywel Hughes said.
At the bottom of the hill was pedestrian Wilfred Rogers.At the bottom of the hill was pedestrian Wilfred Rogers.
"It careered down a steep hill and crushed him between the rear of that van and the property," said Mr Hughes."It careered down a steep hill and crushed him between the rear of that van and the property," said Mr Hughes.
However, it was not known that Mr Rogers had been involved in the incident until six hours later, when Colin Morris, who was renting a house damaged by the van, was allowed back into his property.However, it was not known that Mr Rogers had been involved in the incident until six hours later, when Colin Morris, who was renting a house damaged by the van, was allowed back into his property.
"Searching around in the rubble inside the kitchen of the property, he found the body of Wilfred Rogers," Mr Hughes said."Searching around in the rubble inside the kitchen of the property, he found the body of Wilfred Rogers," Mr Hughes said.
"His body was discovered at about 7.30pm that evening.""His body was discovered at about 7.30pm that evening."
The jury has heard that following the incident, a prohibition notice preventing anyone from driving the van was served on the vehicle because of a faulty handbrake.The jury has heard that following the incident, a prohibition notice preventing anyone from driving the van was served on the vehicle because of a faulty handbrake.
Mr Hughes said: "We say that (the incident) occurred because at that time the handbrake on the van was defective and the driver had failed to set the handbrake to secure the vehicle properly to prevent it from rolling down the hill."Mr Hughes said: "We say that (the incident) occurred because at that time the handbrake on the van was defective and the driver had failed to set the handbrake to secure the vehicle properly to prevent it from rolling down the hill."
The trial continues.The trial continues.