Volunteer fined for patient death

Ifor Williams was driving the pensioner home from hospital

A Welsh Ambulance Service volunteer driver has been fined £195 after the death of a patient in a crash.

Ifor Wyn Williams, 48, of Porthmadog, Gwynedd, who admitted careless driving, also received six penalty points

Frank Roberts, a back seat passenger in a Renault Laguna driven by Williams, died at the scene on the A487 at Garndolbenmaen in April 2008.

The pensioner had been on his way home to Blaenau Ffestiniog from hospital in Bangor, Caernarfon magistrates heard.

The court was told that Williams overtook an ambulance in the Laguna but collided with a Land Rover Discovery turning right ahead.

Mr Roberts was not wearing a seatbelt.

'Momentary inattention'

Williams, a volunteer driver since 2001, was suspended by the Welsh Ambulance Service.

He also worked for a security firm.

"He's very well thought of in his local community," said his solicitor Linda Roberts.

Court chairman Basil Thomas said :"This offence was caused by a momentary inattention."

Williams was also ordered to pay £150 costs and the £15 victims' surcharge