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'Everybody's lost out really'

THE family of grandmother Margaret Given have spoken of their loss as a van driver was convicted of causing her death by careless driving, writes Carl Eve, Crime Reporter.

Widower Kevin Given, 61, said the jury's decision was right, but felt "everybody lost out -- it is a shame for his (driver Nigel Lucas) family and ours as well, purely due to carelessness.

It (reversing along New George Street) was a dangerous thing to do.

"As for the sentencing, I'm not vindictive towards Lucas. Everybody's lost out really."

Mr Given said his wife, who died aged 58, was born and raised in Plymouth, attending Ford secondary modern school before taking a job at Woolworths shoe department where they met. He said: "I was taking a short cut through the store when I saw her.

"I started making a few excuses to keep going through so I could see her. We would talk and then I asked her out on a date."

She loved music and would regularly see bands which came to town, including the Who playing in Devonport.

The couple married 40 years ago at Plymouth Register Office and set up home initially in a flat in Station Road before moving to King Street and raising a family of three boys and two girls.

Mr Given said: "She stayed at home until the children grew up and then started working at L M Stores in North Road West as a shop assistant. She made a lot of friends there. Our youngest, Michael, also works at the shop.

"He had all the customers and staff asking about her after the incident for weeks afterwards.

It's been hard for him having to deal with that and I guess it will happen again now after the court case."

Mr Given said he and Michael attended court throughout the case and found it frustrating to hear some of the things said during the trial.

He added: "We were prepared for any outcome, but we were really upset about what was said about my wife. They made her out to be some kind of deranged bag lady. That was awful -- she held down a steady job.

"As for the cirrhosis of the liver, well it was a real shock to us but even a bigger shock when they tried to say it was due to alcohol -- she didn't even drink!

"She was utterly unaware she had the condition as was I. But we weren't able to explain in court. We thought she was in perfect health."

Mr Given said he would remember his wife as "warm, friendly and fun to be with".

"She was always good for a laugh and had many friends from work who she'd go on day trips and holidays with, visiting places in Cornwall, sightseeing.

"In the shop where she worked, she would be calling everybody sweetheart or my darling. She couldn't switch it off, so at home, we'd be given the same special customer treatment -- we'd all be called darling and sweetheart."