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Man sentenced for car crash that killed Laionie Kennard, 18, from Verwood

JOSEPH Henry Lydon Pickett was handed a 10-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, after he crashed a car, killing 18-year-old Laionie Kennard from Verwood.

Pickett was driving a blue BMW 1 Series at around 9.30pm on September 16, 2023 on Hurn Road, between Ringwood and Matchams, when he crashed into trees after failing to negotiate a bend in the road.

Emergency services attended, and very sadly, Laionie – who was one of three passengers – was pronounced dead at the scene.

20-year-old Pickett, from Lyneham in Wiltshire, admitted a charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 29.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years with an extended retest and must complete 250 hours of unpaid work.

READ MORE: Man charged after crash that killed Laionie Kennard, 18, from Verwood

READ MORE: Family of Laionie Kennard, 18, pay tribute after crash tragedy

The Serious Collision Investigation Team (SCIT) indicated Pickett was believed to be driving at between 43mph and 54mph on the 30mph road as he entered the bend prior to the collision.

PC Leanne Howes, of the SCIT, said: “Our thoughts are absolutely with Laionie’s family and loved ones and nothing will ever make up for their tragic loss.

“This case must serve as another harrowing reminder of the truly devastating consequences that can result from driving without due care and at excessive speed, particularly at night when you have passengers in your vehicle.

“I can only hope that this awful incident makes others stop and think before they get behind the wheel and reminds them of the vital importance of driving in a safe and considerate manner.”

Moving tribute

Laionie’s family released a moving tribute to their daughter last year following her tragic death.

“Laionie was our princess,” her family said. “She was the most kind, caring daughter and sister we could ever have wished for.

“Her smile would light up a room, and she was loved by so many. I cannot explain in words just how much she is going to be missed.

“We would like to thank everyone for their kind and generous donations at this unbelievably hard time, our girl will have the send off she deserves.

“We will love you forever the brightest star in the sky, our Laionie.”

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One Comment

  1. Kevin Lindsay Reply

    Absolutely dismayed. It’s hard to see any real consequence for this drivers actions.
    I’d be furious as a parent of the deceased’. How can going off the road, hitting trees be careless? Should have been death by dangerous driving and I also question the appropriateness of a Magistrate passing sentence. This should have gone to Crown at least for sentencing but I don’t know why it wasn’t referred to Crown for trial as Death by Dangerous.
    Just stop oil protesters are going to jail! Nuisance though they’ve become, the way these two offences are handled is baffling. Urgent sentencing reform needed and shouldn’t be based on money or custodial spect.

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