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Tomos Wyn Roberts' Llangefni death: 'Race' drivers jailed | Tomos Wyn Roberts' Llangefni death: 'Race' drivers jailed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two drivers who caused the death of a pedestrian while racing each other have been sent to prison. | Two drivers who caused the death of a pedestrian while racing each other have been sent to prison. |
Daniel Owen, 22, and Jamie Wyn Williams, 19, hit Tomos Wyn Roberts, 22, while he was crossing the road at Llangefni, Anglesey, last November. | Daniel Owen, 22, and Jamie Wyn Williams, 19, hit Tomos Wyn Roberts, 22, while he was crossing the road at Llangefni, Anglesey, last November. |
Owen received six years and eight months and Williams was given five years. | Owen received six years and eight months and Williams was given five years. |
Judge Niclas Parry, sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court, said the case showed "the curse of joyriding". | Judge Niclas Parry, sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court, said the case showed "the curse of joyriding". |
Daniel Owen, formerly of Ty Croes, Anglesey, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving while uninsured. | |
He was also banned from driving for six years and until he passes an extended test. | |
When his silver Vauxhall Corsa car struck Mr Roberts, Owen was drink-driving for the second time and his eyes were described as 'bulging out of his head' because he had taken cocaine. | |
The other driver, Jamie Wyn Williams, had only passed his test three days earlier, the court heard. | |
He had denied causing death by dangerous driving but was found guilty by a jury following a trial. | |
Judge Niclas Parry said the victim was a devoted son who doted on his two sisters. | |
"Tomos Wyn Roberts was a young man of whom a family, workforce and community were justifiably hugely proud. | |
"He was a natural and accomplished footballer and to his last breath displayed courtesy and kindness. | |
"That life has been lost, the heart torn out of a family and community because you selfishly and disgracefully decided to use the streets of Llangefni as a racetrack. | |
"This has been yet another example of the most wasteful and unnecessary loss of life in north Wales caused by the curse of joy-riding." | |
The judge said Owen was the instigator of tragic events after he made repeated and determined efforts to get Williams to race him. | |
"In your determination to win the race you drove on the wrong side of the road, over the brow of a blind hill, resulting in the inevitable collision. | |
"The impact was such it was described as an explosion," said the judge. | |
The prosecution said the pair had been in an early morning race around the one-way system in the centre of Llangefni and on nearby Glanhwfa Road where Mr Roberts was struck after getting out of a taxi to cross the road. | |
Prosecutor Sion ap Mihangel said: "They were racing one another in a built-up area. | |
"Mr Roberts was tragically struck by the lead car, a silver Corsa. | |
"Such was the force of the impact his body flew into the air." | |
The taxi driver recalled seeing Williams's red Corsa drive underneath Mr Roberts' flying body as it went past. | |
Mr Roberts died at the scene. | |
After the court case the family of Mr Roberts, a factory worker, said they were left "distraught and broken-hearted when Tom was killed... a young man of 22 whose life was just at its beginning". | |
"We can't find the words to describe the gap he has left in our lives." | |
Mr Roberts' father, Wyn, a hospital porter, and his mother Lian, a teacher, added: "We are just relieved at the outcome of the trial and feel there has been some small justice done for Tom's death. | |
"Hopefully this case will highlight the dangers of illegal racing and driving under the influence of drink and drugs." |