A driver has been convicted for causing his girlfriend's death during a high-speed 'impromptu race' that reached 90mph in a residential area. Sophie Brimble, aged 20, was killed instantly when her partner Jay Bayliss lost control of his Volkswagen Polo and smashed into a lamppost.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The tragic crash occurred in July 2017 on the A4047 between Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr in South Wales. Bayliss, then 32, had been racing another driver, Neil Brooks, through residential roads with speed limits of just 30mph. During the chase, Bayliss drove the wrong way around a roundabout before attempting to navigate a bend at excessive speed.
Excessive Speed and Loss of Control
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told Newport Crown Court that Bayliss was traveling 'way above the speed limit' in the lead-up to the collision. A collision investigator estimated his speed was close to 90mph when he passed a Murco garage shortly before crashing.
'Mr Bayliss was driving through excessive speeds in a residential area, in excess of 80mph,' Cobbe stated. 'Mr Brooks was a very short distance behind him, matching Bayliss for speed until the last few moments.'
The court heard that Bayliss lost control on the bend, causing his car to rotate and slide into a lamppost. 'The result was a catastrophe,' Cobbe said.
Legal Proceedings and Conviction
Bayliss suffered serious injuries in the crash and was initially deemed not fit to stand trial. However, a jury has now convicted him of causing Miss Brimble's death by dangerous driving, nine years after the fatal incident.
Neil Brooks was previously jailed for eight years in 2019 at Cardiff Crown Court for causing Miss Brimble's death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to Bayliss by dangerous driving.
The case has been adjourned for a further hearing next month to determine the appropriate legal outcome for Bayliss.
Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
In a statement released following the verdict, Miss Brimble's family described their ongoing grief. 'Sophie was taken from us way too soon,' they said. 'It will be nine years in July which still feels like yesterday.'
They remembered her as 'beautiful inside and out' with a 'contagious' laugh and unforgettable smile. 'She had that rare natural gift, the ability to make people laugh without even trying,' the family added.
Miss Brimble had a special talent for singing and would perform Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie' 'with such joy and confidence.' Her family noted she never had the chance to meet all her nieces and nephews, saying she 'would have been the most incredible auntie.'
Police Statement and Warning
PC Paul Rees of Gwent Police said: 'Our thoughts remain with Sophie's family and loved ones, who have shown remarkable strength throughout the lengthy legal process.'
'This case should serve as a stark reminder that there is no place for dangerous driving on our roads, and we will seek to prosecute those involved.'
The police expressed hope that the outcome would bring some closure to the long-standing investigation while acknowledging the family's suffering would continue.
