Faversham teenager Aaron Kingsley sentenced for causing death of close friend Sophie Harrison
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A 19-year-old Faversham man has
been sentenced to two years for killing a close friend in a crash
in Canterbury last year.
Aaron Kingsley (pictured
right) was 18 and still at school when he was driving his
father's Land Rover Discovery, with five friends as passengers,
after being persuaded to give them a lift into Canterbury to catch
a train to go to a party in London.
Kingsley, of Sheerways, had only
passed his test at the third attempt the previous December and
usually drove a Mini, when he lost control of the Discovery at the
roundabout at London Road and Rheims Way on April 4, 2009.
The vehicle rolled over and slid,
throwing Sophie Harrison through the sun roof causing massive head
injuries from which she died two days later in hospital.
Two seats had been taken out of the
back of the Discovery and Sophie, 18, was sharing a seat and
seat belt with a friend, but decided it was uncomfortable and was
sitting in the rear passenger footwell when the accident
happened.
Experts estimated Kingsley's speed
as he approached the roundabout was between 43 and 54mph, but
probably at the lower end. He himself put the accident down to his
own inexperience, the weight of people in the car and possibly
hitting something.
Kingsley appeared at Canterbury
Crown Court on Monday afternoon and admitted causing
death by dangerous driving. His lawyer, Crispian Cartwright spoke
of his remorse and devastation at causing the death of a friend and
said the whole family were grief stricken.
He said Kingsley did not really
understand why he lost control that night, but stressed there were
no aggravating features of drink or drugs. Kingsley was
painfully aware of the grief of the dead girl's family and her
death was a terrible burden on his shoulders. He had suffered deep
depression and only the support of his parents had kept him from
suicide.
Sending Kingsley to a young
offenders institution, Judge Adele Williams spoke of the life of
Sophie Harrison, full of promise, but tragically cut short and
accepted all that been said for Kingsley but said he had to be
punished.
He was disqualified for three years
and must take an extended driving test before he drives again.
Full reaction in this week's Faversham News, out
Thursday.
Monday, March 08 2010
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