Allan Charles Kelly sentenced for driving death of British tourist Claire Louise Litchfield
The man who struck and killed a British woman on the streets of Hobart has finally faced a magistrate over his deadly inattention which led to the “entirely preventable” tragedy.
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The man who struck and killed a British woman on the streets of Hobart has finally faced a magistrate over his deadly inattention which led to the “entirely preventable” tragedy.
Claire Louise Litchfield, 39, was tragically killed on September 18, 2019 after she was struck by a Holden SUV driven by Allan Charles Kelly, 56 – as she and her partner crossed the road at the intersection of Argyle St and Collins St.
Moments before the tragedy, Ms Litchfield and her partner, Mark Tidborough, were enjoying an evening walk through the city while on holiday from the United Kingdom.
Court documents outlining Kelly’s sentencing in late November have now been published. Magistrate Michael Daly described Kelly’s inattention as “deadly”.
“To any motorist keeping a proper lookout, Ms Litchfield and Mr Tidborough would have been highly visible,” Mr Daly stated in the documents.
Despite Ms Litchfield’s “very blonde hair”, blue jeans and light green jacket, she remained unseen by Kelly as he sat at the intersection for 30 seconds, before turning right onto Collins St as the green ‘walk’ signal was activated.
Ms Litchfield was roughly in the centre of the street when Kelly – who cut the corner and crossed into the middle (oncoming) lanes of Collins St – drove into her.
Mr Tidborough was also knocked to the ground and watched on as the horrific scene unfolded, as Ms Litchfield went under Kelly’s car.
And while those first on the scene, including a doctor, tried to save her, she later tragically succumbed to her “terrible injuries” in hospital.
No drugs or alcohol were found to be in Kelly’s blood.
In his police interview, Kelly told officers “it was dark … I did not see them”, and said at no stage had he seen any pedestrians.
The case faced years of delays, with Kelly previously pleading not guilty in court.
Mr Daly acknowledged Kelly was “devastated” to have caused Ms Litchfield’s death, and Mr Tidborough’s injuries.
“His plea of guilty is an acceptance without question that is wholly inadequate lookout for pedestrians was causative of Ms Litchfield’s death,” Mr Daly stated.
“He has experienced grief as a result of the fact that he caused her death, which is natural and expected.”
Documents state Kelly had up until Ms Litchfield’s death, lived an “industrious and blameless life”, bar two very minor convictions in more than 40 years of driving.
Mr Daly noted the “high” degree of negligence displayed by Kelly resulting in the “entirely preventable death that should never have happened”.
“(Kelly) had an abundant opportunity to avoid causing Ms Litchfield’s death,” Mr Daly stated.
He noted Kelly had spent 30 seconds in a stationary position, his proximity to the couple and his position at the lights.
“It is not easy to understand how the defendant did not see Ms Litchfield and Mr Tidborough either as he waited for the lights to change or subsequently,” he said.
“That inattention was serious and ultimately deadly.”
Kelly was sentenced to six months jail, suspended for two years.
He was ordered to complete a 24 month community correction order including 100 hours of community service.
His licence was disqualified for six months.
Convictions were recorded.
Originally published as Allan Charles Kelly sentenced for driving death of British tourist Claire Louise Litchfield
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