A CAERWENT woman has denied causing the death of an elderly Ponthir couple through dangerous driving.

Taylor McDonnell, 21, of Carrow Road, appeared at Newport Crown Court on Friday morning before Judge Daniel Williams and denied two charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

The case was sent to trial, which will begin on February 9 next year. A further hearing will be held on October 20.

Ms McDonnell, wearing a black trouser suit, spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas. She cried as she said ‘not guilty’.

It is alleged McDonell caused the death of Joyce and Denis Drew on November 13 of last year, while driving a Toyota Aygo, on Caerleon Road in Ponthir.

Mrs Drew, 86, died shortly after the incident while Mr Drew, also 86, was admitted to hospital where he died on November 19.

The Argus previously reported how Mr Drew, a former headteacher who also completed national service with the RAF, was born in Abersycan and had met his wife on a blind date while in the West Midlands.

The couple married on March 31, 1959.

Mr Drew had teaching jobs in Abersychan and Griffithstown and was headteacher at Usk CV, Llanyrafon and Hollybush Primary schools before he retired.

Mrs Drew worked in administration and at a travel agency before working as a registrar of births, deaths and marriages in Pontypool.

She was also a stalwart member of Ponthir WI, a driver for WRVS meals on wheels and raised money for St David’s Foundation Hospice Care.

Last year, speaking to The South Wales Argus, the couple’s daughters Sarah England and Helen Adam, said that they felt “privileged to have had them as parents” and were “very proud of them”.

Further tributes were also made to the couple from friends.

Glyn Parry, 86, of Sebastopol, had known Mr Drew for more than 80 years.

He said: “They were a devoted and loving couple. He was a very good headteacher and teacher.”

Reverend Kevin Lake, vicar of Caerleon and Llanfrechfa, said: “They will be truly missed but we have wonderful and cherished memories of them.”

McDonnell was released on unconditional bail.