Tribute To Teen As Friend Jailed For Causing His Death

8 January 2019, 12:38 | Updated: 8 January 2019, 13:17

The family of an 18 year-old boy, killed in a car crash on the A414 say he was "cheeky" and "adventurous" and they "love and miss" him "more than anything".

Joshua Porter died in a crash on the A414 in August 2017. He was on his way to West Herts College with his friend, James Norton, who was driving.

St Albans Crown Court heard Norton, who's now aged 20, from Latimer Close, lost concentration while driving over 70mph.

His red Vauxhhall Corsa hit a tree.

Emergency services went to the scene but sadly Joshua, who was from Bushey, passed away from his injuries before he could be taken to hospital.

He left his mother Deborah, his father David, his older sister Jayne and his younger brother Benjamin.

In a victim impact statement, Joshua's mother Deborah said:
"We are serving a life sentence without Joshua here. He had his whole life ahead of him with a career in the army, and later in life a wife, a family of his own, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. There is so much more Joshua had to do in his life, as an individual and with his family, but all that was cut extremely short on the 25th of August 2017. We love and miss Joshua more than anything. As each day passes without him, it's heart-breaking. He will be forever eighteen."

Former Queens' School student Joshua was described as 'cheeky' and 'adventurous' by his family, and he was involved in many extra-curricular activities.
 
He was an Explorer with 1st Hatch End Scouts and played for Fullerians Rugby Football Club in Watford alongside his younger brother, Benjamin.

The Public Services student was also a member of the Combined Cadet Force, joining when he was in school and ranking as Sergeant.

At Joshua's funeral, £740 was raised in donations for Help For Heroes in his memory. His family continue to raise money for the charity through a number of organised events.

PC Dale Morris, who supported Joshua's family throughout the investigation as a family liaison officer, said: "This is a really tragic case for all concerned. Joshua was just 18 when he lost his life. Now his family and friends won't see him realise his dreams and they have to suffer the pain of living without him every day. Joshua's friend will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. I want to pay tribute to the bravery they showed throughout the investigation and my thoughts are very much with them as they come to terms with the court case's conclusion."