A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a fatal car crash claimed the life of a woman in her 70s. Anthony Howells, 43, who currently has no fixed address, faces charges related to the death of Barbara Mullaney, a beloved pet shop owner from Royal Wootton Bassett.
The tragic collision occurred on the B4696 on the evening of Tuesday, June 30. Mrs. Mullaney, who owned the Animal Fayre pet shop in Cricklade High Street, was driving an orange Peugeot 107 southbound when her vehicle was involved in a head-on crash with a black Vauxhall Astra traveling northbound.
Mrs. Mullaney was pronounced dead at the scene. The Vauxhall’s passenger, a teenage girl, sustained serious injuries but has since been discharged from hospital.
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Howells has been charged not only with murder but also with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop after a road traffic collision, and failing to provide a specimen. He appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on July 6, entered no plea, and was remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance at Bristol Crown Court on July 8.
The local community has expressed its grief by leaving numerous floral tributes outside the Animal Fayre pet shop. Wiltshire Police have confirmed that due to previous contact with Howells, they have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).