Driver, 25, who killed a 19-year-old girl when he lost control of his BMW jailed

Watkins (pictured) killed Sophie Smith after losing control of his BMW in Manchester 

A man was today jailed for nine years and nine months after killing a teenager when he lost control of his car struck a group of pedestrians.

Scott Watkins, 25, of Salford, was sentenced today at Minshull Street Crown Court after ploughing into seven pedestrians in Trafford Park, Manchester.

He was charged with eight offences – causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while driving without insurance, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop at scene of a collision and failing to report an accident in June.

Several people were hit during the incident, including 19-year-old Sophie Smith.

Sophie was taken to hospital but passed away.

There was no reaction in the dock from Watkins as he was sent down.

The public gallery remained silent although some relatives broke down in tears after the judge rose.

The road was sealed off by police after the crash on May 31, in which seven people were hit and Sophie was killed 

The road was sealed off by police after the crash on May 31, in which seven people were hit and Sophie was killed 

Scott Watkins, 24, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence

Scott Watkins, 24, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence

He has been sentenced to nine years and nine months for causing the death of Sophie Smith by dangerous driving.

There are additional sentences on the other eight counts but all will run concurrently.

He has also been banned from the road for 14 years and 10 months. The court has heard that Watkins first passed his driving test in October 2016. Five months later, he was banned from the road after being found to be driving without insurance.

On the May 31, there was a meeting of ‘spontaneous, unauthorised’ car enthusiasts in Trafford driving ‘high performance and modified’ vehicles in what is often known as a ‘car meet’, the court was told.

There was a 500m stretch of road which runs north to south, the court hears. The speed limit is 30mph.

Drivers were ‘showing off their cars’ as they drove backwards and forwards between the roundabouts.

Outlining the facts of the case earlier, prosecutor Rob Hall said spectators gathered on Europa Way in Trafford to watch the drivers ‘drifting’ at the roundabouts.

Sophie Smith, 19, was killed after being hit by a BMW in Manchester in May

Sophie Smith, 19, was killed after being hit by a BMW in Manchester in May

‘As the the car meets are on public roads and unauthorised by police there is very little in the way of consideration of health and safety measures such as barriers,’ Mr Hall said.

CCTV recorded the entire incident on the southern roundabout, the court heard.

It was not being shown again as the judge has seen it and doesn’t want to distress family and relatives in court any further.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Sophie’s stepfather, Harishchandra Patel said: ‘On Thursday 31st May 2018 our daughter Sophie Smith was involved in a collision on Europa Way in Trafford Park West.

‘As a result she died the following day in Salford Royal Hospital. We can never begin to put into words how we feel. I have been with Sophie’s mum since Sophie was five years old and I have brought her up as my daughter.

‘It is very difficult for the family to speak about that day. I still think: “No it’s not happened, we will wake up from this, everything seems so surreal.”

‘I try to keep myself busy, but then I hear a certain song that reminds me of Sophie and I have to stop and compose myself.

‘You should not have to organise funerals for your children and that was one of the hardest days for us and we couldn’t wait for it to be over.

‘We will never be able to see her get married, Sue will never help her pick a wedding dress, and I will never be able to walk her down the aisle.

‘We will never see Sophie’s special smile again and that is due to the actions of the driver that night.’

In another statement read to the court, Sophie’s boyfriend, Jordan Chidgey, 24, said: ‘I just want the driver of the vehicle which caused the collision to feel what we are feeling. I feel gutted and devastated.

‘This has been especially difficult for me as a Sophie was not only my girlfriend but my best friend and my soul mate. I have since been confined to using a wheelchair and crutches and I have had to teach myself how to get out of bed on my own.’

Judge Potter told Watkins the death of Sophie Smith and the serious injuries caused to four others ‘lies squarely with you’.

He described the crash as a ‘grotesque act of selfishness’. Judge Potter said the case concerns an ‘unauthorised and unregulated’ car ‘meet’ or ‘cruise’.

He said a number of drivers had been executing manoeuvres ‘particularly around roundabouts’ such as the so-called Magic Roundabout.

‘A considerable amount of driving was taking place that night which some observers described as creating an atmosphere of driving at excessive speed creating danger to themselves and others.’

The judge reads a statement from a witness who says the event was getting out of hand and like ‘Need for Speed’.

Watching the cars shorty before the crash, he said: ‘My teeth were gritted and my body was stiff thinking there was going to be a crash.

‘Someone remarked that they thought something bad was going to happen. I agreed an was thinking of going home as I was getting scared.’

The judge told the court how Watkins got into the BMW having never driven it before with the intention of copying the ‘drifting’ happening at the roundabout.

Sophie Smith from Bury was killed when she was hit by a car. Her boyfriend was seriously injured and has spent weeks in hospital 

Sophie Smith from Bury was killed when she was hit by a car. Her boyfriend was seriously injured and has spent weeks in hospital 

He describes how Watkins approached the roundabout and lost control as he tried to ‘over correct’ the swerve.

The BMW left the road and mounted the pavement and into a crowd of people who were standing and sitting as they watched, causing ‘the most dreadful carnage’.

The judge cited a number of aggravating features to the case – Watkins was uninsured and driving without a licence and had another traffic conviction – ‘aggravated vehicle taking’.

There was also very serious injuries caused to others in addition to causing the death of Sophie Smith.

Boyfriend Jordan suffered a broken pelvis and shattered kneecap among others and is in a wheelchair.

Colin Burton suffered injuries including loss of kidney function, broken leg, arm, and is also in a wheelchair.

Helen Lord suffered a broken nose, three lost teeth and bruising of her heart among other injuries.

Sarah Morrison’s injuries included a broken leg, severe lacerations to her head, legs and arms. Each suffered life-changing injuries. 

Teenager Sophie was at the car event at Trafford Park in Greater Manchester when she was hit

Teenager Sophie was at the car event at Trafford Park in Greater Manchester when she was hit

Colin Burton, 32, of Eccles said: ‘Being bedridden and asking people to help with things has been embarrassing for me. I was an independent man and now my right wrist is permanently limp so I’ve been unable to return to work.

Helen Lord said: ‘I am no longer able to look in a mirror as I feel ugly. I have permanent scars down my face and I have had trouble sleeping.’

Sarah Morrison said: ‘I feel I’ve become a burden on my family as I am unable to do anything. I feel nothing but anger and frustration towards the driver of the vehicle.’

The court heard how Watkins told police officer that he felt suicidal on knowing that his actions may have caused the death of another.

Mitigating, his defence lawyer Michael Brady said: ‘He knows he will be receiving a substantial custodial sentence. He expresses sincere and genuine remorse for his actions.

Sophie Smith (pictured) was killed when the BMW ploughed into seven pedestrians 

Sophie Smith (pictured) was killed when the BMW ploughed into seven pedestrians 

‘There is an absence of self-pity. It was his error of getting behind the wheel of the BMW. He told the police he felt suicidal at the thought he killed someone.

‘It’s clear he was responsible for driving and responsible for the death of Sophie Smith and the injuries caused to the unfortunate other individuals, those were not the intended consequences of what he wished would happen that day.

‘He simply put his own wish to drive the car around the roundabout above the risk he posed to others.

‘This has weighed heavily upon him and he carries the burden of guilty. The genuine remorse is the only mitigation he has.

‘His family are supportive and do not condone his actions. This was a devastating and catastrophic action. He did drive away from the scene.’

Sentencing Watkins, Judge John Potter said: ‘Sophie Smith was just 19 at the time she died. She was looking forward to a life in which her many gifts would have flourished.

‘I have heard evidence that she was a vibrant, bubbly person, she gave much to others in her short life which was extinguished in an act of grotesque selfishness by you.

‘You drive around the “magic roundabout” as it is commonly known, as you had seen others doing so. You had never driven that car before and were unaware of the power of the high performance vehicle.

‘It was described by a witness as a “need for speed” setting. This was a deliberate action and a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road.

Scott Watkins, 24, sobbed as he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Sophie Smith, 19, in court 

Scott Watkins, 24, sobbed as he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Sophie Smith, 19, in court 

‘You have caused them profound physical and psychological harm that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Your act of selfish hedonism was grotesque indeed.’

Watkins, who kept his head down in the dock, was banned from driving for 14 years and 19 months.

Outside Manchester Minshull Street, a family statement read: ‘With Scott Watkins receiving a custodial sentence, his family will have to privilege of visiting him. We shall have the privilege of visiting our beloved Sophie only at a graveside.

‘Although Sophie will always be in our hearts we shall never have the privilege of welcoming her back home. The sun will never shine on Sophie’s beautiful and youthful face again.’

Another aggravating feature is that Watkins showed ‘not a shred of concern for what you had done’ after the crash, the judge said.

He didn’t stop ‘for even a moment’ and a member of the public chased after Watkins but had to give up because he thought there might be another crash, the court heard.

A 21-year-old man was charged with aiding dangerous driving, driving without insurance and perverting the course of justice in relation to the incident.

Thomas Humphries, of Farnworth, is due to appear at court for a plea hearing next month.

In a statement released following her death, Sophie’s family, from Bury, said: ‘Sophie was an amazing daughter, sister and girlfriend and our hearts are broken.

‘We will always love her and never forget the time we spent together. Sophie was our little angel and loved by everyone who knew her.

‘A big empty space has been left in our souls and life will never be the same without her. We will always be thinking about her and she will be in our hearts forever.’

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