A Morecambe man has been jailed after admitting causing the death of a taxi passenger by dangerous driving.
Police were called to Westgate at 5.47am on Sunday August 10 following reports of a collision involving a black Fiat Punto and a white Ford Mondeo taxi.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the rear seat passenger in the taxi – 50-year-old father-of-three Wayne Putley from Lancaster - was pronounced deceased at hospital.
Read more: Family pays tribute to taxi passenger who died in road crash in Morecambe
Jez Shepherd, 23, of Green Street, Morecambe, previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified from driving, causing death whilst unlicensed/uninsured, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, making off without payment and burglary.
Shepherd had stolen the Punto earlier that day and driven around Morecambe at speed. He also made off without paying for fuel from a garage, was more than twice the drink drive limit and was high on drugs.
Just before the collision he had been driving at almost 90mph in a 30mph zone.
He appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Friday, October 24) where he was sentenced to 15 years, 12 years of which will be served in custody, and where he will have to serve a minimum of eight until he is eligible to apply for parole. He will be subject to an extended license period of three years.
Shepherd has also been disqualified from driving for 16 years and will have to take an extended driving test before he can hold a license again.
Below: Wayne Putley with his late sister, Jeanette
Senior Investigating Officer Sgt Martin Wilcock, of our Specialist Operations team, said:” First and foremost my thoughts today are with Mr Putley’s family who have lost a clearly very well-loved man in tragic circumstances. I want to thank them for conducting themselves with dignity throughout these proceedings.
“Jez Shepherd was clearly intoxicated and drove a stolen car at incredibly dangerous speeds before colliding with the taxi in which Mr Putley was a passenger with tragic and catastrophic consequences.
“No sentence can ever bring a loved one back or make up for the loss of a life, but I hope that this significant jail term gives Mr Putley’s loved ones some sense that justice has been served and gives Mr Shepherd time to reflect on his devastating actions on that fateful day.”
In a statement Mr Putley’s family said Wayne was known for his kind heart and would never turn anybody away who was in need of help, he worked locally at the homeless shelter and helped out at the church.
When he wasn’t at work, he was out enjoying himself DJ’ing online on the weekends, paddleboarding, being outdoors and most of all off-road motorbiking.
The family said Wayne’s death had shattered the family and left a massive hole that could not be filled.
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