A MAN has been charged and sent to the crown court in connection with an incident last year that left a 79-year-old woman critically injured at the roadside.

Retired Monmouth teacher Jane Stone died in hospital four days after being involved in a collision with a cyclist at the junction of Wonastow Road/Somerset Road.

A year on from the June 2021, incident, Stewart McGinn, aged 29, of Troy Way, Monmouth, has now appeared before Gwent magistrates charged with causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving on a bicycle.

He was bailed to appear at Newport Crown Court on July 14.

Mrs Stone had been walking home after going to the cinema with friends when the crash happened around 9.55pm on Monday, June 7.

Officers launched an appeal to track down the cyclist involved, but revealed four days after the collision that former St Thomas’ churchwarden Mrs Stone “had died from her injuries” in hospital.

A man was subsequently arrested and questioned on June 17 before being released under investigation. Mrs Stone was known as a keen walker who set herself the target of walking 1,000 miles a year, and had recently abseiled down the church tower for charity.

In 2017, she raised £2,000 for the Ty Price St Thomas’ Community Hall by covering 1,000 miles on foot on the South Downs Way, the Welsh Coastal Path and parts of the Wye Valley, and was currently tackling the Offa’s Dyke trail with her walking friend.

Her family said in a tribute: “Jane was a very caring and active member of the Monmouth community.

“Having been born and brought up in Monmouth she trained in London as a teacher, in which profession she was well respected and appreciated.

“In retirement and being a widow, she returned to her roots, involving herself with great enthusiasm in many aspects of Monmouth life.

“She was a past churchwarden of St Thomas’s Church, was a lay Eucharistic minister, sacristan and heavily involved in all church activities, helping and supporting members of the community as needed.

“Jane was healthy and physically active, only a few years ago abseiling down the church tower to raise funds.

“She also led a group of Church Recorders for The Arts Society (formerly National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies).

“Jane was a member of Monmouth Choral Society and enjoyed concerts with the Merlin Music Society.

“She enjoyed long distance walking, setting herself the challenge of completing 1,000 miles per year and was currently tackling, with her walking friend, Offa’s Dyke from South to North Wales.

“Jane was a well-loved member of the family and closely followed the lives of her great nieces and nephews.”

Monmouth Area Parishes also said in tribute at the time of her death: “Jane was always so full of life and willing to share not only her time but also her faith in her care for others.

“She was a supportive and tireless churchwarden for many years and a hardworking sacristan who gave her considerable talents in ensuring that the highest standards were maintained behind the scenes of worship.

“She was a lively contributor to house groups and study groups, a welcoming hostess and she also made a significant contribution to St Thomas Parish Church Council.

“A fearless and loyal friend for all those who knew her well.”