Renowned sculptress, 63, who killed Falklands SAS veteran with her Land Rover is spared jail

A famous sculptor who killed a Falklands SAS veteran while he was behind the wheel of his Land Rover has been spared prison.

Christine Baxter, 63, from Tregare, collided with motorcyclist Darren Gough on April 29, 2025, near Usk, Monmouthshire.

The court heard Baxter ‘failed to control’ other traffic before turning at a junction in Raglan, Monmouthshire, resulting in him hitting the oncoming former special forces soldier.

The 63-year-old, known as Ben, was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being pulled from under Baxter’s vehicle but sadly died two months later.

Prosecutor Jessica Taylor-Goddard: ‘HE [Baxter] He turned right and collided with the motorbike Mr Gough was driving in the opposite direction.

‘The victim was under the car and had to be moved so he could receive medical attention.’

The court heard Baxter made an “unsafe manoeuvre” before telling police he “did not see” him approaching. He said he saw Mr Gough seconds before he crawled under his car.

Baxter pleaded guilty to causing death by reckless driving at a hearing last month.

Baxter, 63, admitted causing death by carelessly driving his Land Rover Freelander and received a suspended sentence.

Mr Gough’s daughter said in her victim statement that her father was a ‘ranked war hero’.

He said: ‘My father was a soldier who devoted most of his life to serving his country.

‘For us he was our hero. He was someone we looked up to, trusted and loved deeply.

‘He was funny, impulsive and adventurous. Losing my father devastated me.’

The family added that they understood Baxter ‘did not intend’ to kill Mr Gough and that they ’empathize with the driver’s family’.

Mr Gough’s partner said he was training to ride a bike in the army and would live a ‘long and happy life’.

The court heard he was in Prague at the time of the collision but rushed home to be with Mr Gough while he was in hospital in a critical condition.

He said: ‘I have this overwhelming feeling of feeling sad all the time. ‘He knocked Ben off his motorbike and took everything away from him.’

The court heard Baxter employed three people in his sculpture business and held exhibitions at several independent galleries in cities including Bristol, Cardiff and Salisbury.

Last year his works were displayed in a number of garden exhibitions, including the National Motor Museum.

He sells his garden sculptures, often made of iron, bronze or stone, for prices of up to £4,000 and displays his work in his home studio.

Lynda Rhead, defending, told the court Baxter had never had a collision in the 39 years he had his licence.

While being questioned by police, Baxter was heard saying: ‘My heart goes out to Mr Gough’s family and his wife. I think about them and the battle every day. ‘I’m so sorry they lost.’

District Judge Sophie Toms gave Baxter an eight-month suspended sentence. He was also made subject to a 12-week curfew from 8pm to 6am.

The judge said: ‘There was failure to check, failure to recheck and of course failure to ‘Think Bike’.

‘There was poor judgment and decision-making at the time.’

Baxter has been banned from driving for two years and will have to take a lengthy retest.