Van driver faces “significant” prison term after killing couple

A van driver is facing a “significant” prison term for killing a married couple in a drunken hit and run.

Wendy Gay, 67, and David Gay, 58, were out walking when they were struck by driver Michael Saltmarsh in his white van.

Saltmarsh, 48, appeared in court via videolink from prison where he is being held on remand over the two deaths.

Police said the music-loving couple were walking along Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly, at about 7.50pm on March 17 when the van ploughed into them.

Saltmarsh pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

A previous hearing was told he had 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35.

He will return to Cardiff Crown Court to be sentenced next month after a judge was told a report from probation officers was yet to be carried out.

Members of Mr and Mrs Gay’s families are expected to provide victim impact statements during that hearing.

Judge Paul Hobson said: “I am going to give probation and you a further opportunity for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. You must attend that appointment with probation.

“As you know you face a significant prison sentence and the report is only going to assist with the length and nature of that sentence.”

Officers investigating the collision appealed for any witnesses who were in the area at the time or any motorists with dashcam footage to contact them.