Family Label Killer "Selfish Coward"

The family of a 16-year-old moped rider who died in a crash on the Thanet Way last July have described his killer "a selfish coward".

Gareth Jones, 49, from Whitstable, has started a three-year prison sentence for causing the death of Tom Brenchley, 16, by careless driving.

The jury had heard how Jones had been driving his grey Volvo S80 on the A299 Thanet Way London-bound near Dargate on Tuesday 26 July 2010, when at around 9.45pm he collided with a blue Yamaha 50cc moped.

Judge Adele Williams told Jones: "In my judgement you do not have an ounce of true remorse but only self-pitying arrogance."

Tom's father, Dave Brenchley, said they could have forgiven Jones if he been remorseful, open, honest and taken responsibility for his actions. 

Mr Brenchley told Heart: "He has shown himself to be a selfish coward. Only 15 months after the crash has he answered questions in court and been held to account.

"It is now established that he had used his legal rights to avoid answering questions which would have seen the more serious aspects of his driving coming to light. He still seeks to portray himself as a victim and has shown no remorse throughout the trial."

Mr Brenchley described Tom as a "wonderful son and brother" who would have made a positive contribution to life. He said: "The verdict will not bring Tom back so although there is a sense of justice, nobody has won.

"We will try to focus on the delight Tom brought to our lives and remain immensely proud that he was our son and Chris's brother. We miss him desperately."