A driver has been jailed for 16 months for killing a teenage girl as she crossed the road.
Christopher West, 42, hit 15-year-old Keely Morgan with his car on Heol Trelai, Caerau, Cardiff, on the evening of 1 May 2023 and she died at the scene.
A previous hearing heard West, from Ely, had been travelling at between 32mph (51 km/h) and 43mph (69 km/h) on a road with a 30mph limit.
He had admitted causing death by careless driving and also death by driving without insurance after removing a black box in his vehicle which voided his policy.
Judge Paul Hobson said victim impact statements read by Keely’s family had made clear “how her loss has devastated those who loved her of who there were many”.
He said she was a “young woman who was part of a large family network” adding that “things were opening up for her after Covid and after her health difficulties”.
The court heard she had a kidney transplant in 2021.
There was swearing and a shout of “disgusting” as the 16-month sentence was given, with some members of Keely’s family leaving the courtroom at Cardiff Crown Court.
Keely had been using an iPad as she crossed the road, the light from which could be seen on CCTV.
Judge Hobson said “ultimately Keely was there to be seen” and that West “should have seen her and come to a stop”.
The court heard evidence from the young passengers in West’s car who said he had been ” showing off” and “snaking” – steering the car from side to side.
“The picture of you which emerges is of an ‘irresponsible show off’,” Judge Hobson told West.
“Although you may well be sorry for what happened, a large part of your concern is for yourself.”
After the collision, West was said to be “apologetic” and “in a state of panic”.
Sentencing West, Judge Hobson said “the seriousness of this offence and the combination of aggravating factors” meant an immediate jail term was necessary.
West was sentenced to 16 months for causing death by dangerous driving and 11 month for causing death by driving while uninsured, to be served concurrently.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years and eight months.
