A couple who encouraged dangerous driving that led to the death of a motorcyclist in Surrey have been jailed for a combined total of 13 years.
Justin Whelan, 33, and Kayleigh Grant, 37, were sentenced following a fatal collision in Wanborough on October 14, 2023.
Whelan was driving a blue Ford Mondeo when he lost control on a bend, crossed into the opposite lane, and collided head-on with an oncoming motorcycle.
The rider, 62-year-old Kevin Jones, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.
Excessive speed was found to be a key factor in the crash. CCTV and witness evidence showed Whelan driving at 88mph in a 40mph limit just over a mile before the collision and overtaking in a 30mph zone at a junction in what was described as a “very dangerous” manoeuvre.
Grant was in the front passenger seat at the time of the incident.
Rather than urging Whelan to slow down, she filmed his driving on her phone and encouraged him as he continued towards the collision.
Her four children, all aged 13 or under, were also in the vehicle.
A six-year-old child was found to have been sitting in a footwell without any restraints, as the car was only designed for three rear passengers.
Grant left the scene with the children before police arrived and later gave false information about how many children had been in the car.
Whelan had bought the vehicle just four days before the crash.
In a message to a friend, he described it as “a fast, fast, fast, fast car”.
Whelan, of St Leonards-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Guildford Crown Court and was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.
The judge said he would have received 14 years had he not entered an early guilty plea.He was also banned from driving for 16 years and two months.
Grant, of Hastings, denied abetting causing death by dangerous driving and wilfully exposing a child to risk but was found guilty after a five-day trial at Guildford Crown Court on March 6.
She was sentenced to four years in prison.
The judge said Whelan had been driving at “grossly excessive speed”, and that Grant had been “exhilarated” by his driving and chose to “egg him on” to continue.
Detective Constable Greg Brown of Surrey Police said: “I want to thank the witnesses who provided evidence in this case, which helped secure these convictions.
“Our thoughts remain with Kevin’s family who have shown dignity throughout this process.
“Whelan’s dangerous driving, encouraged by Grant, caused this collision which tragically cost Kevin Jones his life. His death was entirely avoidable.
“The defendants showed a disregard not only for other road users but also for the safety of the four children in their own car.
“Excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads.
“We will continue to proactively target those who choose to take risks and break the law.”
Kevin’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “We are devastated with the loss of Kevin.
“He was a shining light in our lives, and that light has been extinguished early by the reckless actions of others.
“He was kind, considerate, supportive without question and always happy and laughing.
“He touched the lives of everyone he met and we will miss him terribly.
“We would like to thank family and friends for their support, the police who worked tirelessly to bring these offenders to justice, and our Family Liaison Officer for their support throughout this process.”
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