Family of Whaplode Drove motorcyclist killed after hit-and-run incident call on tougher sentences for dangerous drivers

The family of a hit-and-run victim have called for tougher sentences for people who cause death by dangerous driving.

Twenty-year-old motorcyclist Amy Cooper tragically passed away after being left lying in the road by disqualified driver Shane Kelk at Holbeach St John’s on November 13 last year.

Kelk (28) was jailed for eight years and three months at Lincoln Crown Court in February, after admitting a number of offences, including causing death by dangerous driving.

On Tuesday, Mr Justice Johnson dismissed Kelk’s plea for his sentence to be reduced at London’s Court of Appeal, which was welcomed by Amy’s family.

“There is a great injustice occurring across this country for the families of those who are killed on our roads every day,” a statement issued by the family following the hearing read.

“Amy was just driving home. She deserved to have made it there alive.

“We should have spent this year going on trips and visiting each other, instead we are now attending memorials and court hearings, some of which, like today, aren’t even in her name.

“We didn’t want to put ourselves in the public eye like this but we have to fight for Amy because she can’t.

“Sentencing has greatly improved, but road crime and causing death by dangerous driving are still, in our opinion, not given long enough sentences.”

Amy, of Whaplode Drove, was riding her green Kawasaki when a grey BMW 3 series estate driven by Kelk – who was on licence following a jail sentence of six years and nine months imprisonment passed in 2017 for his involvement at an armed incident in Long Sutton – pulled out to overtake another vehicle in foggy conditions. He then left the scene.

Following the appeal hearing, Amy’s family say they can now begin to grieve.

“We are relieved at the outcome of today’s appeal and the decision to not reduce the sentence given in February,” the statement continued.

“We won’t say that we’re happy, just relieved.

“We’re relieved that this is now over and we can actually try to grieve. Something we haven’t been able to do since she was killed because of the different court processes that have been involved, especially this appeal.”

Family members also questioned how Kelk was able to get back behind the wheel.

“Amy and her short 20 years of life were brutally, violently taken away in a crash that was entirely avoidable, from actions that no sensible, legal driver would have ever even considered,” the statement added.

“A driver who left her at the side of the road to die. A driver who was still on license and should never have been able to get back behind a wheel.

“Where was the supervision from the probation service?”

The long court process has also taking its toll on Amy’s loved ones, who explained: “The 11 months since Amy was killed have been exhausting, painful, and indescribably awful for all of us in our own ways trying to grieve a daughter, a sister, an aunty, a girlfriend, a best friend.

“The additional weight of the appeals process, the inability to talk publicly about it and the lack of control we have had over it all has made it even worse, which we didn’t think was possible.”

The family also thanked the police, emergency services and groups who have offered help and support.

“We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Lincolnshire Police, who could not have done more to support us and to bring the driver that killed Amy to justice, and we are forever thankful to the force,” the statement said.

“We extend our deepest gratitude too to the paramedics and medical personnel at Peterborough hospital who took care of Amy and did their best to keep her alive.

“We also want to thank our prosecution team for their help with the original sentencing and with this appeal and for keeping us informed where possible. They have been so supportive and available to answer questions whenever needed.

“Our final thanks go to RoadPeace for their incredible support. The work that RoadPeace does to support bereaved families and injured victims and to campaign for better laws around dangerous driving and road deaths is vital and we owe them so much for all of their incredible hard work.”

The statement also called on fellow motorists to remember those who lose their lives on the roads, and to do their best to avoid any future tragedies.

It said: “Don’t forget Amy. Don’t forget the thousands that have died on our roads since the first road fatality in this country in 1896.

“Don’t forget the, on average, five deaths a day on UK roads.

“And when you next get in your vehicle and drive home, remember that it is a privilege, not a right, to drive a vehicle, and be grateful that you made it home to your loved ones, just as Amy should have been able to.