Kieran McGowan, 23, of Harrogate, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today
The father of a ‘beautiful’ student who was killed after being hit by a drink-driver described his daughter’s killer as a ‘lunatic’ as he was jailed today.
Kieran McGowan, 23, killed Kate Whalley, 18, the day before she was due to finish her A-level exams.
Ms Whalley suffered fatal head injuries after being mowed down by a black Ford Fiesta ST driven by McGowan, which had struck a kerb and swerved onto the pavement in Pool-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire, on June 22, 2017.
The young girl had just sat her penultimate A-level exam at Harrogate Grammar School and was due to sit her final test the next day.
Ms Whalley’s father Micheal fought back tears to address McGowan directly in court.
He said: ‘I have lost my one and only child.
‘Not being able to celebrate her graduation, not being able to walk her down the aisle.
‘The loss of [my] daughter is unbearable. There are no words to describe the feeling.
‘You added salt to our wounds by lying to the police.
‘Even in death she gave, donating all her organs. My relationship with Kate was beautiful.
Ms Whalley suffered fatal head injuries after being mowed down by a black Ford Fiesta ST
‘It is a crying shame that he did not think of the consequences of his lunatic driving behaviour on June 22, 2017, resulting in him hitting our daughter, causing her skull to be shattered on the road.
‘There is no defence for his actions.’
Her mother Diane Jordan also spoke during a highly-emotional day, describing her daughter as ‘vibrant and full of life’.
She said: ‘Kate was my beautiful daughter. She was a very special and confident young lady.
‘She was tragically killed and denied the chance to go to university.
‘The grief and pain we have suffered is hard to put into words. The loss of Kate is too hard to come to terms with. There is a hole in my heart that will never heal.’
Defending McGowan, Andrew Dallas said he was a ‘hard-working’ man that was now ‘wracked with guilt’ and has struggled to cope with life since the collision.
Sentencing McGowan, Judge Batty said: ‘Kate died the day before she completed her school education.
Kate Whalley with dad Michael, who addressed McGowan in Leeds Crown Court today
Kate Whalley had just sat her penultimate A-level exam when she was hit and killed today
‘She was due to embark on a degree. She had her whole life ahead of her.
McGowan, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on May 30 this year and was sentenced to four years and six months behind bars.
He was also charged with perverting the course of justice for lying to the police – including regarding the amount of alcohol he had drunk.
He was also banned from driving for 6 years and 11 weeks.
His passenger, and boss, Oliver Hurst, 32, was also charged and pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Hurst was also imprisoned for six months for perverting the course of justice.
Speaking after the sentencing, Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Mat Tunney said: ‘McGowan has deprived a young woman of her life, who clearly had a bright future ahead of her.
‘He has left in his wake, a trail of suffering and hurt for Kate’s family and friends, which will likely never leave them.’
Kate Whalley (left) with her sister. She suffered fatal head injuries after being hit in Pool-in-Wharfedale