A young driver from Wackrill Drive, Leamington Spa has been sent to prison for 10 years and disqualified from driving for five years for killing his girlfriend by dangerous driving.

25-year-old Joshua Bromley was speeding at around 80mph in heavy rain and under the influence of cannabis when he lost control of his car on the A423 near Marton in November 2022. He had passed his test just ten months earlier.

27-year-old Jessica Lees from Stockton who was the front seat passenger was seriously injured in the collision and later died in hospital.

Speaking after the sentence DS Drew Ballantyne said “It’s been a long investigation period for Jessica’s family who also had to endure a trial as Bromley pleaded not guilty.”

“We hope that Bromley now takes responsibility for what he has done and that other new and inexperienced drivers take the opportunity to learn from this tragic case.”

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is calling for greater measures to be put in place to improve the safety of young and inexperienced drivers to help protect them, their passengers and other road users.  This includes

• Reducing the number of peer-aged passengers in the vehicle to minimise risk-taking and distractions.
• Limiting in-car distractions, such as loud music or conversations that divert attention from the road and ensuring mobile phones are put away and not used while driving.
• Maintaining open communication between parents and young drivers about their travel plans, destinations, and expected return times.

Click on the link for more information on what we are doing to help protect Pre and Young Drivers