‘Street racing’ led to death of grandmother

Mary Byrne, 51, was in a minicab turning into the driveway of her house in Bradford when it was hit by a speeding BMW racing a Ford Focus in April last year.

It happened just a few steps from a primary school’s gates where a warning poster by her granddaughter Grace pleaded for drivers to be considerate.

The BMW 330i was driven by Joseph Robinson, 23, who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed yesterday for five years and three months.

Thomas Healey, 21, who was in the Ford Focus ST, was found guilty of the same charge after a trial. He received a six-year sentence.

Robinson was on bail for a previous driving offence and was using faked insurance documents at the time.

Judge John Potter said “macho-inspired bravado” played a part and their lack of care for others “amounts to almost indescribable selfishness”.

Mrs Byrne’s daughter, Sam Rees, 34, said: “We are glad that they have been sentenced but we echo what the judge said, it’s not going to change it. Whatever they got sentenced is never going to bring mum back but their families will know what its like to lose a loved one for a couple of years.”