Fatal crash passenger jailed
A passenger in a stolen car which crashed killing his uncle who was at the wheel has been jailed.
Jamie Jones, from Walsall, was in the stolen Vauxhall Corsa when it was driven along the A5 at Atcham near Shrewsbury with police in pursuit on June 6 last year.
At the wheel was his uncle Stefan Boswell, 20, of Wolverhampton. He died after the car struck a lampost.
The car had been earlier stolen from Craven Arms in Shrosphire.
Jones, 20, of Manor Road, Alumwell, previously admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Jones' uncle, who picked up his nephew after stealing it from a driveway, in Craven Arms, that night. Mr Boswell lost control of the car that was being driven the wrong way round Emstrey Island, it mounted the embankment before hitting the lamppost.
Mr Andrew Holland, defending Jones, told the sentencing at Shrewsbury Crown Court that his client had 'little or no recollection' of the incident.
"He had no involvement in the burglary, but he concedes he got into the car and thereafter it was driven dangerously by his uncle, who was of a very similar age. He has suffered serious degrees of guilt and remorse in this case. He bitterly regrets getting in the car and feels he could have done more to stop what happened," Mr Holland said.
Mr Recorder Stephen Thomas sentenced Jones to 12 months in prison at the hearing.
"The vehicle was driven badly by your uncle. He drove, at speed, the wrong way down the carriageway for about two miles.
"The police were following but he took no regard of that.
"The consequences thereafter were tragic. The car crashed, your uncle was thrown from the vehicle and died while you yourself suffered serious injuries.
"These are the potential dangers in becoming involved with stolen cars and you must take responsibility for your part in it," Mr Thomas said.
Following the crash, Jones was trapped in the wrecked car for about 40 minutes.
He was then taken to University Hospital North Staffordshire suffering from head and suspected spinal injuries.
Mr Boswell managed to free himself from the wreckage, but collapsed at the side of the road and died at the scene despite efforts by paramedics to save him.
The road was closed for several hours and drivers were caught in tailbacks on the A5 and M54 following the collision.
