'Show-off' driver who revved engine before flipping his car and killing grandfather who was walking his dogs is jailed

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

A 'show off' driver revved the engine of his powerful car before killing an innocent grandfather walking his dog has been jailed.
Daniel Boucher, 28, bragged about the horsepower of his Peugeot 207 moments before a deadly crash.
He lost control of the car after taking a bend too fast, flipping the vehicle and ploughing into 66-year-old David Paul Chaplin.
Mr Chaplin, who had been walking two dogs in Nelson, near Caerphilly, South Wales, was struck with devastating force.
Emergency crews raced to the scene, including officers, paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, the Welsh Air Ambulance, and South Wales Fire and Rescue.
But despite their efforts, the grandfather died at the scene.
Prosecutor Owen Williams said Boucher had finished work when he bragged to colleague Scott Williams about the 165 and 170 horsepower of his 'turbocharged' car.
He said Boucher had been driving 'way too fast' after leaving work and crashed a short way into his journey.
Boucher was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving having admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.
Hashim Salmman, defending, said Boucher was genuinely remorseful.
Judge Vanessa Francis told him: 'This was a tragic miscalculation of what speed was safe to negotiate that bend and your ability to control the car and keep other road users safe as is your responsibility.'
Boucher, of Argoed, Blackwood, was jailed for four years and banned from driving for five years.
Speaking after the sentence Mr Chaplin's daughter Abby Hillberg, said her father was 'more than just a victim of a tragic and heartbreaking event, he was an amazing dad, and outstanding grandfather, a partner and a friend to many.'
She said: 'Today we remember and honour the life of the amazing and wonderful Paul Chaplin, whose life was tragically cut short on 18 April 2023 due a road traffic collision.
'His life was cruelly taken from him far too soon, and the shock and impact of this loss has affected everyone who loved and knew him.
'He was the main function of our family, our whole world and more.
'He was more than just a victim of a tragic and heartbreaking event, he was an amazing dad, and outstanding grandfather, a partner and a friend to many.
'He brightened every room he walked in, made a positive impact on everyone who met him and, most of all, brought happiness to those around him.
'No words will ever explain the heartache and sorrow that we felt and still feel to this day, but in remembering our Dad and Bampi we hold onto the joy and love he brought into our lives and remember all the memories we share and that remain in our hearts forever.
'There is not a day that goes by where we don't think of him, tell him we love him or reminisce on our happy memories. He really was one of a kind, a true gentleman and an honourable man.
'We hope for this tribute to serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety and acknowledgement of pedestrians.
'Every life lost is a family shattered and a future rewritten. Rest in peace and keep showing us daily that you are with us. You will never be forgotten, we love you always.'
Sergeant Shane Draper, the senior investigating officer from the serious collision investigation unit, said: 'This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life.
'The facts of the case are that, after leaving work, Boucher drove dangerously, far too quickly for the road and lost control of his vehicle.
'Boucher was showing off and his failure to drive to the required competent and careful driving standard has caused devastating consequences - the death of Mr Chaplin, who was simply walking his dog on the pavement.
'The importance of driving carefully and to your ability at all times is never more poignant than in this case; the collision was so unnecessary. Dangerous driving ruins lives.
'This is a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel - your responsibility isn't just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you.
'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Chaplin.'