Man jailed for causing death of Courtney White by dangerous driving

Lewis Clark, 20, of Hudson Close, Poole, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after killing pedestrian Courtney White, 23, in a crash on the A3049 Canford Way in Poole on Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Miss White, a mother to a three-year-old girl, was walking home while listening to music on the footpath between the Mannings Heath Roundabout and the Alderney Roundabout when she was struck by Clark after he botched an attempt to undertake a friend’s motorcycle at speed.

A hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, January 13, heard how Clark, who was aged 19 at the time, did not have a driving licence and had not driven for at least a year before the crash.

Car recovered after the hit and run crash on A3049 on December 12, 2021. (Image: Newsquest)

Judge Robert Pawson described Clark’s actions as born out of his “desires to show off”.

Prosecuting, Stuart Ellacott told the court how Clark, who had no previous convictions, met with a group of friends on the night of the crash and “swapped” his motorcycle with his friend’s Ford Fiesta.

The group then left a petrol station on the A3049 and Clark began driving at excessive speeds to keep up with two friends who were riding motorbikes alongside him.

The court heard how Clark then “lost control and swerved across the road towards the pavement and then struck the kerb” before hitting Miss White from behind. He also struck a lamppost while spinning out back into the road.

Clark and three passengers abandoned the car and fled the scene making no attempt to check on Miss White, the court heard.

“They should hang their heads in shame,” said Judge Pawson.

Courtney White (Image: Jasmine Moores)

Despite attempts by first responders, Miss White was pronounced dead at the scene. The court heard how the “amazing mum” suffered fatal head and neck injuries.

One witness reported seeing the black Ford Fiesta speed past her at what she estimated to be between 85 and  90mph towards the Mannings Heath Roundabout moments before the crash.

• Read more: Family of Courtney White react as killer driver is jailed

Upon tracing the vehicle’s owner, police were told by Clark and his friend how the car had been stolen at knifepoint shortly before the crash.

Despite maintaining the lie for some time, Clark later handed himself in to police and admitted he had been driving. Tim Bradbury, mitigating, said his client “acted in a shameful way” but “could not live with what he had done”.

He added: “This was not racing but rather a young man, a foolish man, an immature man perhaps trying to impress friends.”

Lewis Clark pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving (Image: Dorset Police)

He described Clark as “utterly remorseful”, adding: “That sense of guilt and shame will be with him for the rest of his life.”

Sentencing, Judge Pawson said: “I don’t see an element of pressure in this, you weren’t under pressure from anyone other than your own desire to show off.

“The sentence will not compensate Courtney’s family in any way. Not only did you take her life, but you took the mother of a three-year-old. The impact on that little girl will last a lifetime.”

Clark, who had his head bowed throughout the hearing, was sentenced to three years and eight months immediate custody in a young offender institution. He was disqualified from driving for four years and ten months.