Couple jailed for motorcyle crash death

A couple responsible for crashing into and killing a motorcyclist have been jailed.

Biker Kevin Jones, 62, died at the scene from his injuries after he was hit by a Ford Mondeo driven by Justin Whelan.

Whelan, 33, was driving at 88mph in a 40mph limit just over a mile before the collision, which happened in Wanborough, Surrey, on 14 October, 2023, Surrey Police said.

The 33-year-old, of London Road, St Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex, was jailed on Wednesday at Guildford Crown Court for nine years and four months' for causing death by dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty in August last year.

Passenger Kayleigh Grant, who egged him on, has also been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of abetting causing death by dangerous driving, following a five-day trial in March.

The 37-year-old, of Brightling Avenue, Hastings, East Sussex, was also found guilty of cruelty to a person under 16.

Her four children, all 13 or under, were in the back of the car. A six-year-old child was in the footwell behind Grant, police said.

Grant left the scene with her children before the police arrived and lied when questioned about the number of children in the back of the car. a police spokesperson said.

Whelan, who had only bought the car four days before the crash, messaged a friend to say: "It's a fast, fast, fast, fast car."

Judge David Aubrey said Whelan had been driving at "grossly excessive speed", while Grant was "exhilarated" by his behaviour and urged him to continue to drive in that manner.

Paying tribute to Jones, his family said they were "devastated" by his death.

"He was a shining light in our lives, and that light has now been extinguished early by the reckless actions of others," they said.

"Kevin was kind, considerate, supportive without question and was always happy and laughing.

They continued: "He was the true definition of a gentleman, always happy to help and support anyone around him and touched the lives of everyone he met.

"Our lives are now much darker without him and [we] still miss him terribly."

Surrey Police's Det Con Greg Brown said: "Justin Whelan's dangerous driving, encouraged by Kayleigh Grant, caused this this collision which tragically cost Kevin Jones his life. His death was entirely avoidable.

"The defendants showed a disregard not only for other road users but also for the safety of the four children in their own car.

"Excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury collisions."

Whelan was also banned from driving for 16 years and two months.

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