'She won't cope in prison': Anger over jailing of disabled woman for cyclist's manslaughter

Auriol Grey, 49, was found guilty after she shouted at retired midwife Celia Ward, 77, to "get off the f****** pavement" in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, causing her to fall into the road and get struck by a car.

Connor Parker
Updated ·3 min read
17
Auriol Grey has been sentenced to three years in prison. (PA)
Auriol Grey has been sentenced to three years in prison. (PA)

Campaigners and friends have reacted with shock and anger at the prison sentence handed to a disabled woman after she was found guilty of manslaughter.

Auriol Grey, 49, was found guilty after she shouted at retired midwife Celia Ward, 77, to "get off the f****** pavement" in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, causing her to fall into the road and get struck by a car.

Ward was pronounced dead at the scene on 20 October 2020.

Grey has cerebral palsy, is partially blind, suffers from cognitive issues and has been living in shelter accommodation for most of her life.

During sentencing, Judge Sean Enright said: "These actions are not explained by disability."

A close friend of Grey living at her sheltered accommodation expressed his shock at the news that she had been jailed for three years.

Screengrab taken from CCTV showing Auriol Grey walking on the pavement before causing Celia Ward to fall into the path oncoming vehicle. (PA)
Screengrab taken from CCTV showing Auriol Grey walking on the pavement before causing Celia Ward to fall into the path oncoming vehicle. (PA)
Auriol Grey was jailed for manslaughter after she gestured in a ‘hostile and aggressive way’ towards retired midwife Celia Ward, who then veered into the road in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. (SWNS)
Auriol Grey was jailed for manslaughter after she gestured in a ‘hostile and aggressive way’ towards retired midwife Celia Ward, who then veered into the road in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. (SWNS)

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The man in his 40s, who asked not to be named, said he had lived in the same building as Auriol for the last 15 years.

The building is run by the Papworth Trust and provides help and support for around 20 residents, many of whom have special needs.

The man said: "This is wrong. Auriol is a lovely person. She is always happy and smiling.

"She does have a temper, but she is not a violent person. I have never seen her be violent.

"She's had arguments with her boyfriend, but she doesn't hit people or get aggressive.

"She will not cope with prison. She needs a familiar environment and there will be violent criminals around her.

Auriol Grey arriving at Peterborough Crown Court. (PA)
Auriol Grey arriving at Peterborough Crown Court. (PA)

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"I'm shocked. I can't believe that she was charged with manslaughter. They should have considered her conditions.

"I think it is wrong and I am worried about her."

Fazilet Hadi, Head of Policy at Disability Rights UK, told the MailOnline that the sentence was "extremely harsh."

Hadi said: "'This was a really tragic incident, where Celia lost her life, and I feel sadness and sympathy for all involved. The sentence given to Auriol does seem extremely harsh."

"With the number of cyclists increasing, we need proper separation of pedestrians, cyclists and cars, so that we can all keep each other safe. Government and councils need to review guidance, to ensure safe streets."

Grey's lawyers have launched an appeal against her sentence.

There are fears that she will lose her place at her accommodation if she spends years in prison, which will leave her homeless after her sentence is completed.

The Papworth Trust have been contacted for comment.