Banned Black Country driver, 20, locked up for killing friend and seriously injuring another

Footage filmed by one of the occupants in the moments before the stolen Ford Fiesta veered from the carriageway, in Newbury Road, in Oldbury, on March 20 was shown at the sentencing hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday.

Miss Suzanne Francis, prosecuting, said Corey Brown, of Albert Street, Lye, had overtaken another car before he lost control and spun to the opposite side of the road where it struck bollards and a lamp post before coming to rest.

None of the occupants appeared to have been wearing seatbelts in the car which had been stolen in Bromsgrove the previous day.

She said following the collision a witness saw the defendant, whom he recognised, climb out of the car and limp away from the scene leaving behind his badly hurt friends Kristian Danielov and Matthew Westwood, both also 20.

The group had been to two pubs before going on the road where Brown drove at speeds of between 60mph-67mph with front seat passenger Mr Westwood and Mr Danielov in the rear.

The video captured all three with voices heard saying, “we are going to catch it” in reference to traffic up ahead and “talk to me nice”.

Mr Danielove, originally from Bulgaria, was taken to the Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital but died nine days later. The cause of death was given as severe spinal cord injuries. He had also suffered broken ribs and a brain bleed. Mr Westwood suffered head and neck injuries but survived.

Brown previously pleaded guilty to offences of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and having no insurance.

Sentencing him Judge Simon Ward told Brown he had a “dreadful record”.

“I need you to listen to me. Sitting in this courtroom are about 20 people They are all here because they have been affected by what you did. Kristian’s family shouldn’t be here at all. You’re here because you killed him by your dangerous driving,” the judge said.

The court heard that prior to the crash Brown notched up 10 convictions for 33 offences including for dangerous driving in 2021, robbery and conspiracy to burgle. In 2024 he was locked up for two years and two months for driving whilst disqualified and 10 thefts, and was released in 2025 meaning he was on licence. He was also on bail for an offence committed after his release. The latest incident was his seventh driving whilst disqualified offence.

Mitigating for Brown Mr Babir Adris said Brown had taken responsibility for the death of his friend and had written to the court giving his apologies to the families. Mr Adris said that Brown was under the influence of cannabis, but no samples were taken in evidence. His breath test was not over the drink drive limit.

Judge Ward sentenced Brown, who was recalled to youth detention following the crash, to a total of 10 years custody.

There was no separate penalty for no insurance which was allowed to lie on file. He also banned him from the road for six years and six months. An offence of theft was allowed to lie on file.

The defendant will be transferred to an adult prison after his 21st birthday.