A man has been jailed for causing the death of a much-loved mother and grandmother in a high-speed, head-on collision near Catterick.
24-year-old Oliver Hartley of Leeds was sentenced to 12 months in prison at York Crown Court on Friday (17th October) for causing the death of 65-year-old Linda Stockdale by careless driving.
He had taken the car from his mother’s home in Harrogate without her permission and was not insured to drive it. He had also been drinking before getting behind the wheel.
He’s been disqualified from driving for six months and must take an extended driving test before being allowed back on the road.
Hartley had originally been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, but his guilty plea to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving was accepted by the court.
The crash happened at around 2.18am on 1st August 2021 on the A6055 between Catterick and Leeming Bar.
Hartley was driving a black Audi A7 southbound when he collided head-on with Linda’s blue Kia Ceed.
Linda, who was returning home to Tunstall after babysitting her grandchildren, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An evidential test showed Hartley had between 119 and 203 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood — well over the legal limit of 80 milligrams.
He had previously pleaded guilty to drink-driving at York Magistrates’ Court in February 2022 and received a 20-month driving ban for that offence.
Further investigation into the fatal crash revealed that Hartley had been travelling at excessive speeds on the night of the collision.
Analysis of his mobile phone’s location data showed he had driven up and down the A1(M) and A6055 seven times, reaching speeds of between 95 and 105mph in the minutes before the crash.
Experts estimated he was still travelling at least 72mph at the point of impact.
A forensic collision report ruled out vehicle defects or environmental factors, concluding that the primary cause was Hartley driving on the wrong side of the road while intoxicated.
Detective Constable Laura Cleary, from the Major Collision Investigation Team, said:
“Linda's death has brought immeasurable heartache to her family, and our thoughts remain with them.
“They have shown remarkable strength and dignity whilst awaiting the conclusion of this long-running case.
“I hope they find some comfort in the outcome at court, but nothing can make up for what happened to Linda.”
She added:
“As for Hartley, he showed an appalling lack of concern to the safety of other road users.
“He got behind the wheel of his mother's car when he did not have permission to drive, was uninsured and intoxicated with alcohol.
“Hartley then drove at excessive and inappropriate speeds immediately prior to the head-on collision which took Linda’s life.
“He now has to face the consequences of his dreadful actions.”
In emotional statements read to the court, Linda’s family described the devastating impact of her loss.
Her son, Philip Stockdale, said:
“Linda Stockdale, my mum, was such a kind, thoughtful, caring, and beautiful person.
“Her loss has been devastating for so many, not only family but many lifelong friends, colleagues, and neighbours.
“Since the accident any special moment in our lives, my son’s first steps, his first words, my daughter learning to ride a bike, my 40th birthday, have all been tainted by the fact she didn't get to see them.”
He added that Linda, who was just days from retiring after more than 35 years in childcare, “had that retirement and all her plans stolen”.
Linda’s daughter, Lisa Roper, told the court:
“She was an incredible lady, so kind and understanding, so smiley and positive, simply a person everybody loved.
“She was the heart of our family, the very core that kept us together. Having to have that heartbreaking conversation with my children to explain that their favourite person in the world was gone was devastating.”
Her partner of 25 years, Christopher Gall, said:
“Losing Linda has changed my life completely, it turned my whole world upside down.
“We had retirement plans that we never got to experience. Linda was due to retire a week after the incident, and we had so many plans.
“It was our time to enjoy together and that has been stolen away from me and the family.”
He described her as “the best of the best”, adding:
“Four years to get to this point has been torturous and could have been avoided had it not been for the chosen actions of Mr Hartley. You destroyed so many lives that night.”
The family said Linda was a dedicated and compassionate woman who spent her life helping others, both in her work with children and within her community.
A tree and plaque in her village now serve as a tribute to her life and legacy.
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