A MAN has been charged with causing the death of his own partner in a road crash.

Phillip Lesley Hall, 37, appeared in court yesterday charged with causing her death by careless driving while unfit through drink.

Hall, of Lôn yr Orsaf in Mold, is charged with causing the death of Lisa Joanne Hill, who was known as Joanne.

Hall made his first appearance at Flintshire Magistrates’ Court at Mold where it was decided the case should be tried in the crown court.

It is alleged that on the A5118 at Padeswood, near Mold, on February 26, Hall caused Miss Hill's death by driving a Volvo without due care and attention while unfit through drink.

Hill also faces a charge of causing death by careless driving and causing death by driving a motor vehicle when he was driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence.

Hall will appear before Mold Crown Court shortly.

Prosecutor Christine O'Kane did not outline any details of the prosecution case in court yesterday but simply said that causing death while unfit through drink was a charge that could only be dealt with in the crown court.

Following a hearing lasting only minutes, District Judge Andrew Shaw rebailed Hall to appear at a preliminary hearing at the crown court.

At the time of her death, the family of Joanne Hill said the 39-year-old was "a loving mother”.

Speaking on behalf of the family, her sister Louise said in February that Joanne “lived for her kids, Nathan, 19, and Charlotte, 13, saying they meant everything to her – they were her life.

“She was a kind, gentle person who liked gardening and reading. She was looking forward to getting out and doing the garden this spring.

“There is so much we could say about Joanne, but it’s too heartbreaking.

“We will always remember her with love and affection.”

Joanne, who was brought up in Mold and attended Ysgol Maes Garmon, leaves parents Gerald and Pamela from Bryn Garmon, Mold, and brother Jason who lives in Wrexham.

The crash happened near Padeswood and Buckley Golf Club at 8.20pm on Saturday, February 26 and involved a silver Volvo and a red Vauxhall Corsa.
Joanne, a passenger in the Volvo, was pronounced dead at the scene.