Mum of fatal crash victim wants driver's sentence increased

Pedestrian Courtney White died after Lewis Clark crashed into her while he was at the wheel of Ford Fiesta in the A3049 Canford Way in Poole.

Clark, 20 and of Hudson Close, Poole, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

He was sentenced to three years and eight months in a young offender institution and disqualified from driving for four years and 10 months at a hearing on January 13.

Lewis Clark (Image: Dorset Police)

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

Miss White’s mother, Jasmine Moores, has now asked the Attorney General’s Office to consider challenging the sentence in the Court of Appeal through the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

Ms Moores, who is now the guardian of her three-year-old granddaughter Evie, told the Daily Echo: “I just felt like I needed to try and do something about the sentence. It took 14 months for it to get to court and initially they lied to police about what happened.

“I don’t think it is fair and I feel like I just have to do something for my daughter’s memory and for my granddaughter for when she grows older.”

Ms Moores said the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving had been raised last year.

However, this only applies for offences committed on or after June 28 last year. The fatal crash on the Canford Way took place on the evening of Sunday, December 12, 2021.

“Evie has got to grow up and live her whole life without her mum,” Ms Moores said.

“I know he hass got three years and eight months, but he will be out of prison before then and that is not even Evie’s age.

“After court I was glad for it to be over with but now I have actually sat and thought about it. Some people get longer for carrying drugs but he actually killed an innocent civilian.

“All my friends and family feel the same. If you look at the change.org petition I have more than 3,400 signatures now.”

Floral tributes left at the scene of the fatal crash

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Clark lost control of the vehicle as he botched an attempt to undertake a friend’s motorcycle at speed.

The defendant and three passengers abandoned the car and fled the scene making no attempt to check on 23-year-old Miss White.

The mum-of-one was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of first responders.

Clark and a friend later told police the car had been stolen at knifepoint shortly before the crash, but the defendant eventually handed himself in and admitted he had been at the wheel.

An Attorney General’s Office spokesperson said: “We have received a request for this sentence to be considered under the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme.

“The law officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision.”

Courtney White (Image: Jasmine Moores)

Ms Moores said she also wants authorities to take action to improve road safety on the Canford Way.

She said she often hears cars speeding along the dual carriageway and believes speed cameras need to be installed.

“I want something to be done about that road because it is such a dangerous road,” she said.

“I live quite close to it and I hear people going 80 or 90mph at night time and that could be another life gone.

“I really would like something to be brought in so someone else does not die along that road.”

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