Two jailed over Anglesey 'racing' death

23 November 2012, 16:29 | Updated: 23 November 2012, 16:32

A village footballer died after a night out when he was hit by a car as two young drivers raced each other.

The motorist whose Vauxhall Corsa struck him was drink-driving for the second time and had taken cocaine. The other driver had only
passed his test three days earlier, Caernarfon crown court heard. 

22 year old Daniel Owen, formerly of Ty Croes, Anglesey, admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of Gaerwen player Tomos Wyn Roberts, 22, at Llangefni, drink-driving and being uninsured - he was jailed for six years and eight months and banned from driving for six years and until passing an extended test. 

Owen had been accused of racing against 19 year old Jamie Wyn Williams, of Toronen, Bangor, who denied the causing death charge but was found guilty by a jury following a trial. 

Williams was jailed for five years with a five-year ban and extended test ordered. 

Judge Niclas Parry told them : "Tomos Wyn Roberts was a young man of whom a family, workforce and community were justifiably hugely proud. He was a devoted son and doted on his two sisters. He was a natural and accomplished footballer and to his last breath displayed courtesy and kindness. That life has been lost, the heart torn out of a family and community because you selfishly and disgracefully decided to use the streets of Llangefni as a racetrack. This has been yet another example of the most wasteful and unnecessary loss of a life in North Wales caused by the curse of joy-riding."

The prosecution said the pair had been in an early morning race around the one-way system in the centre of Llangefni and on nearby Glanhwfa Road where Mr Roberts was struck after getting out of a taxi to cross the road last November. The cars had been travelling in excess of the 30mph limit with Owen doing up to 58mph. In 2009 he received a drink-drive ban. 

After the case the family of Mr Roberts, a factory worker, said :”We were left distraught and broken-hearted when Tom was killed. A young man of 22 whose life was just at its beginning: "We can't find words to describe the gap he has left in our lives." 

Dad Wyn, a hospital porter, and mum Lian, a teacher, added :"We are relieved at the outcome of the trial and feel there has been some small justice done for Tom's death. Hopefully this case will highlight the dangers of illegal racing and driving when under the influence of drink and drugs."