Whittlesey great-grandfather John ‘died of a broken heart’ after wife Glenis was killed in car crash

Glenis Hughes (76) died from her injuries following the head on collision on the B1040 near her Whittlesey home on February 18 last year.

The crash was caused by Elaine May, who swerved into the wrong lane, her Nissan X-Trail ploughing into Mrs Hughes’ Honda. The court heard May had spent much of the previous day driving home from the south of France with her husband, and fatigue was likely to have been a leading cause of the accident.

Mrs Hughes’ family were left heartbroken by their loss - but eight months to the day after the crash, they faced another tragedy, as her husband, John, also passed away.

At Peterborough Crown Court, their son, Martin, said John had passed away from a broken heart.

He said: “I saw him suffer for eight months after she was gone.

“I watched my dad die from a broken heart.

“I think we lost him on that day when mum died.

“He just faded away afterwards.

“As a family, we will never come to terms with it. They can never rest in peace.”

Glenis, who was born and bred in Whittlesey, was a mum of five, grandmother of 11 and a great grandmother, and was in remission while recovering from cancer at the time of the incident.

Cath Hughes, her eldest daughter, added: “There are no words to explain what we are feeling. She was the kindest, most helpful person, and not just to family. If someone needed a pound for a drink, or a meal, she would help.

“When I heard what happened, my world fell apart.”

Caroline Allison, prosecuting, told Peterborough Crown Court other family members had put together statements ahead of the hearing, describing Glenis as a devoted wife and sister.

Miss Allison said; “John said of Mrs May ‘please don’t take the woman away from her children.’ But others in the family are finding it more difficult to forgive. They are devastated, that the heart of their family has been taken away from them.”

May (52) of Manor View, Whittlesey was jailed for 24 weeks at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving. She was also disqualified from driving for two years.

The court was told that while May, a former nurse who was working as a carer, had no recollection of the moments leading up to the collision, it was likely tiredness and fatigue was partially to blame.

She had no previous convictions or driving penalties recorded against her, and the court was told May was not speeding, intoxicated or using a mobile phone.

Sentencing, Judge Sean Enright said: “Her death had a profound effect on her family and the wider community. It was plainly a significant event in Whittlesey.

“I do not think I can properly do justice for her memory.”