Family’s fury over ‘lenient sentence’ for death driver (From South Wales Guardian)

Family’s fury over ‘lenient sentence’ for death driver

8:20am Friday 7th September 2012 in News

A 49-YEAR-OLD Garnant man has been jailed for 21 months after he admitted causing death by careless driving.

John Aubrey Frowen, of Cwmaman Road, admitted he had taken amphetamines on the day he hit and killed Swansea man Leigh Lewis on Gwylfa Road, Townhill, on June 16, 2011.

Swansea Crown Court heard on Friday how Mr Lewis, aged 36, had been just two minutes from home when he was struck from behind by Frowen’s vehicle.

Frowen’s vehicle did not come to a stop until it collided with nearby railings.

The court was told howFrowen had a long history of drug-taking and had a previous conviction for driving while under the influence of drugs, as well as a string of drug possession offences.

Mr Lewis’ family slammed the 21-month jail term and five-year driving ban handed out to Frowen.

“It is not sending out the right message to people,” said Mr Lewis’ younger brother Andrew.

“You could walk up to someone in the street and stab them and then get life in prison, but you kill someone with a car and you get 21 months.

“The courts are supposed to be sending out a message.

“One person’s actions can cause utter devastation to a family and countless others.

“This is what happens to families when somebody drink-drives or takes drugs.”

Mr Lewis’ mother Ann also hit out at Frowen.

“I’ve seen him on a number of occasions and he hasn’t shown any remorse to us,” she said.

“We’ve not even had a ‘sorry’ from him. He got in the car that night and his actions have changed our lives forever.

“One person’s lack of split-second judgement has caused so much devastation to somany people.”

Frowen originally denied causing death by dangerous driving, but changed his plea to guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving on the second day of his trial.

He was sentenced to 21 months in jail and banned from driving for five years.