Tributes Paid To Young Woman Who Lit Up The Lives Of Everyone

A mum has spoken of how her family has been “ripped apart” by a driver who was today jailed for killing her daughter.

Sarah Giles, 20, was fatally injured when a Vauxhall Golf she was a passenger in was hit by a by a stolen Audi A3. The Audi was being pursued by police after the driver had failed to stop for officers.

The VW driver and a passenger in the Audi were also seriously hurt in the crash which happened in Kingstanding, Birmingham. 

Following the incident Sarah’s family, including mum Sharon, instructed specialist road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support them through the criminal case and to provide advice thereafter.”

Her family have now joined their legal team at Irwin Mitchell in warning of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving. It comes after the Audi driver was jailed for six years six months at Birmingham Crown Court. 

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“Sharon and the rest of the family are absolutely heartbroken by Sarah’s death which they are still struggling to come to terms with.

“Sarah’s death vividly highlights the devastation that can be caused by selfish drivers who pose a real danger to other road users by thinking it is acceptable to break the law.

“While nothing will make up for Sarah’s death we hope today’s sentence will act as a deterrent and make drivers think about the consequences of their actions, so the number of people killed or badly injured on our roads reduces.

“We will continue to support Sharon and the rest of the family through this extremely distressing time.” Rebecca Hearsey - Senior Associate Solicitor

The collision happened in Kingsland Road on the evening of 29 July. The impact sent the VW spinning into a house.

Neighbours and emergency services tried to help Sarah but she succumbed to her injuries.

After today’s hearing, Sharon said: “Sarah was the kindest and most loving and affectionate daughter I could ever wish for. She had the warmest smile and lit up the lives of everyone who knew her. 

“The callous actions of the Audi driver that day have ripped our family apart. We still cannot believe how she is no longer with us and how, through no fault of her own, Sarah will never get to fulfil all the dreams and ambitions she had.
 
“Whilst nothing could ever make up for Sarah’s death we welcome the sentence handed out to the driver and hope it acts a warning to others who are a menace on the roads. Sadly we fear that until parliament act on the promise they made in October 2017 and increase the maximum possible sentence to life for this crime selfish, lawless individuals will continue to blight innocent lives like ours. Please put pressure on parliament to make this change in the hope that other families don’t have to suffer the pain we face every day following Sarah’s death.

“We would once again like to thank the emergency services and all those who tried to help Sarah following the collision as well as those who have sent messages of support since Sarah’s death. It has meant so much to know how Sarah was so well thought of.”
 
Brandon Daniels, 20, from Chingford Road, Kingstanding, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence.

He was also banned form driving for nine years and three months with the requirement to take an extended retest. Daniels also received two four-year jail terms for causing serious injury by dangerous driving which will run concurrently to his other prison sentence.

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