Taxi man jailed for running over wife

Mar 12 2008 Western Mail

A TAXI DRIVER who killed his wife by running her over following a quarrel in his car was jailed for seven years yesterday.

Andrew Erickson, 46, dragged his wife Fiona out of the vehicle after she snapped off the rear view mirror and indicator arm while they were parked on a roundabout, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

The court heard that Mrs Erickson had been so drunk she would have had difficulty getting up off the road.

Erickson, of Banwell Court, Thornhill, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of provocation.

Winston Roddick QC, prosecuting, said that Erickson was seen driving over his wife’s body by a fellow taxi driver who signalled to him to stop. But, Mr Roddick said, Erickson drove home.

Mr Roddick said there was a history of marital problems on both sides “often fuelled by alcohol and the heavy drinking of the deceased”. Mrs Erickson started drinking more heavily after the suicide of her mother.

He said, “We may be dealing with provocation over a long period so that on the day not much would have been required to push him over the edge.”