Four teens jailed over fatal crash in stolen car

Four teenagers have been jailed over a fatal crash in Staffordshire during a race between two stolen cars that killed a retired teacher on New Year's Day.

Joan Hill, 73, died on the A5 near Longford Island roundabout, Cannock, on 1 January 2023, when her car was struck by a Ford Kuga driven by Aiden Adams, 19, from Walsall.

Adams was jailed for nine years and three months at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday, over a series of charges including death by dangerous driving.

The driver of the other car, a Ford Focus, Bryan Micklewright, also 19 and of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years.

Staffordshire Police said Adams had been racing Micklewright and had entered the roundabout at speed before crashing into the passenger side of Ms Hill's car.

Micklewright then paused at the roundabout and picked up two people who had been inside the Kuga, before driving away from the scene.

Officers in an unmarked police car that was nearby attended and attempted to pursue the Focus but they lost it before it was later found burned out in the Walsall area.

Police started an investigation to identify the drivers and passengers. The force said extensive amounts of CCTV were checked, along with a number of forensic examinations, public appeals and inquiries to identify those responsible.

Adams admitted causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, making off without payment, theft of a pedal cycle, attempted theft of a pedal cycle and two counts of theft.

Micklewright was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, after a trial at Coventry Crown Court last month.

He had previously admitted driving a motor vehicle dangerously, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, burglary other than dwelling – theft, making off without payment, theft of a pedal cycle, attempted theft of a pedal cycle and theft.

A passenger in the Kuga, a 17-year-old boy from Walsall who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, was jailed for three years and one month after he previously admitted aggravated vehicle taking, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, making off without payment and theft.

The fourth sentencing also involved a boy, 17, who cannot be named, and had also been a passenger.

He was sentenced to a two-year youth rehabilitation order with intense supervision after he admitted theft of a motor vehicle, theft of a pedal cycle, theft and making off without payment.

He was also found guilty of aggravated vehicle taking, after a trial at Coventry Crown Court last month.

All four were disqualified from driving.

Detective Insp Ian Pickstock, who led the investigation, said: "Joan's family have been left completely devastated by what happened to them.

"This result will not cure their pain, but I do hope it has given them a sense of closure now that they know those responsible have rightfully been brought to justice for their senseless actions.

"This has been a real team effort to investigate. Every single officer and member of staff that has worked on this had Joan's family at the forefront of their minds.

"We have done this for them, and our thoughts are still very much with them at this time."

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