Son's fury as cannabis smoker who killed beloved mum to spend just a few months in prison

Reece McKinven repeatedly drove over an elderly woman and left her to die
-Credit:Avon and Somerset Police


The family of a much-loved Somerset mum and nan who was killed when she was reversed over three times and left to die by a van driver who had smoked cannabis have expressed their 'heartbreak and anger' following his sentencing. Reece McKinven, who had cannabis in his system but was under the legal limit, will spend just a few months in prison.

Beryl Howard, 83, was hit by McKinven on March 16, 2023, as he tried to reverse his vehicle in Green Lane Avenue, in Street. She suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Reece McKinven, 31, of Pearmain Road in Street, was arrested and found with 0.5g of cannabis and cannabis in his system.

Officers then found more cannabis inside his van. McKiven, of Pearmain Road, in Street, was charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving a vehicle without a licence, causing death by driving a vehicle without insurance, and possession of a class B drug, namely cannabis.

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He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Tuesday, January 28, to 13 months in prison. He is likely to serve half of his sentence in prison. McKinven has also been banned from driving for two-and-a-half years.

Beryl Howard was repeatedly hit by Reece McKinven in his Transit van
Beryl Howard was repeatedly hit by Reece McKinven in his Transit van -Credit:Handout

Beryl's family have spoken of their "heartbreak and anger" over the incident, slamming the tragedy as "entirely preventable". Beryl's son, Ray Howard, said he was angry McKinven was not handed a longer sentence as he was just under the legal limit for cannabis.

He said: "Anyone who knowingly gets into a vehicle having consumed illegal drugs should be held fully accountable for their actions."

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In a statement, he said: "Beryl was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who brought immense joy and love to all who knew her. Her sudden and brutal death has left our family shattered. Knowing that McKinven was driving without a licence, without insurance, and after consuming illegal drugs only deepens our heartbreak and anger at the entirely preventable nature of this tragedy.

"McKinven was fully aware that he was on the road illegally and showed complete disregard for the law and the safety of others; despite knowing he had struck something, he continued to drive his vehicle over Beryl a further three times.

"We are grateful that someone sat with her whilst she died, otherwise she would have been on her own in her last few minutes of life. We would like to thank all those who have supported us through this difficult time and ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and remember Beryl for the wonderful person she was."

Beryl's daughter, Sharon Perry, added her family were "devastated" by the loss of Beryl, who was "loved so very much".

Reece McKinven
Reece McKinven -Credit:Avon and Somerset Police

She said: "It's been so much harder as she suffered such a horrific death. It is so hard to bear thinking about the pain and terror she must have felt.

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"We are very grateful to the members of the public who comforted her at the scene. We are a close family and saw Beryl almost every day. She is greatly missed. We will never get over what happened to her."

Investigating officer for Avon and Somerset Police, Dai Nicholas, said: "This has been an extremely distressing case for Beryl's family and our thoughts and sympathies are very much with them. We want to thank those who helped at the scene of this incident, as well as the witnesses who provided statements, which ultimately helped in our efforts to achieve a successful conviction in this case."