Shamed soldier admits killing teenager in high-speed drive

Soldier Joshua Wraith had been "showing off" in his MG ZR car after attending a "cruise" for car enthusiasts at which he performed at least one handbrake turn.

Front-seat passenger Amy Louise Walker, who had just celebrated her 17th birthday, died after her side of the car took the impact as the MG hit an oncoming Peugeot 205 car, seriously injuring its passenger, Emma O'Connor.

Miss Walker's cousin Kirsty, also 17, who suffered serious injuries, told police she was "petrified" by Wraith's driving. She said Amy had twice pleaded with him to slow down but he ignored her.

Wraith told police the events of September 13 last year were "one big blur" but he admitted racing other drivers in the past.

He pleaded guilty to causing Miss Walker's death by dangerous driving.

Wraith, who was 18 at the time of the crash in Ackton Lane, Featherstone, was yesterday sentenced to four years in jail by a judge at Leeds Crown Court.

Richard Clews, prosecuting, said Wraith had joined around 20 other car enthusiasts at Morrisons in Pontefract on the day of the tragedy.

Wraith, from Pontefract, was showing off and performed a handbrake turn in his red MG. Soon afterwards several cars set off in convoy towards Wakefield.

En route, speeds were said to have reached 80mph on roads with limits of 30 and 40mph.

After pulling up at traffic lights, Wraith "put his foot down" but lost control on a left hand bend after travelling only about 500 metres from the lights.

The car slid sideways onto the opposite side of the road, colliding with a Peugeot and pushing it backwards.

Mr Clews said the crash left Kirsty Walker with broken bones and a ruptured spleen. She needed five operations and counselling and described the events as the "most terrifying thing she had ever been through in her life".

Miss O'Connor, who was a passenger in the Peugeot, suffered serious leg injuries which required a metal plate and eight screws to fix.

Wraith told police said he knew the road had some blind corners but he could not remember anything after leaving the supermarket car park.

Robin Frieze, for Wraith – who is now 19 and has been dismissed from the Army – said his client did not want to "put forward any excuses" but he was feeling shame and remorse.

Wraith had been described as a "relatively safe and normal driver" by Kirsty Walker but that he "showed off" among friends.

Although Wraith had been dismissed from the Army because of his crime, two senior soldiers came to the court to show their "personal support", said Mr Frieze.

Judge Jennifer Kershaw QC said: "This case is one that has brought great sadness to two families."

She said the defendant had in the past queried the cause of the crash, saying "it was an accident and accidents happen".

"The cause of this accident was the defendant's poor driving," she said,

She said the crime was aggravated by excessive speed, the fact he was racing and his disregard of three warnings about the manner of his driving.

Judge Kershaw said Wraith was clearly anxious about the effect of his actions on his family.

"It appears feelings in the community have been running high and the family has been victimised."

Wraith was banned from driving for four years and must take an extended test to regain his licence.