Leeds man handed 14 year sentence for causing 18 year old's death in horror crash
18 year old Georgia Bendelow was fatally injured in a crash in 2022
A driver has been jailed for 14 years for causing the death of an 18-year-old woman, while driving at 30mph over the speed limit, on the outskirts of Leeds.
Thomas Sherwood, 36, of Tranquility Avenue in Cross Gates, Leeds, found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, at Leeds Crown Court. He was driving uninsured.
Sherwood was behind the wheel of a BMW M3 which hit a red Seat Mii which was tunring on the A63 Selby Road, Swillington Common, at around 6:30pm on August 31 2022.
The driver of the Seat, 18 year old Georgia Bendelow, was airlifted to hospital where she passed away two days later.
Georgia's mum and boyfriend, also in the car, were seriously injured.
Sherwood was arrested at the scene and was later proven to have been going 80mph in a 50 zone at the time of the crash.
Detective Sergeant Steve Suggitt of West Yorkshire Police said: “At the heart of this investigation is 18-year-old Georgia Bendelow, a young woman who has tragically lost her life due to the reckless and dangerous actions of another road user."
"The overwhelming love for Georgia is clear with the trial even having to be moved to a larger courtroom due to the number of family and friends present.
"The sad fact is that speed kills. Had Sherwood been driving safely at the speed limit that evening in August 2022 then Georgia would still be with her friends and family now.
"Georgia’s mother and boyfriend were also seriously injured, suffering multiple fractured bones. While they continue to improve physically, they will always live with the mental toll of this crash.
"Sherwood also tried to apportion blame for the collision on Georgia’s mother, further exacerbating her distress.
"Sherwood has had more than three years to accept responsibility for his actions and has refused to, maintaining that his driving was not dangerous.
"The jury did not accept this, and he was found guilty of all offences. He has been jailed today, and I hope that provides some amount of comfort to the many people who have been affected by this devastating collision.”
In a tribute, Georgia's parents wrote: “Whilst today’s judgement goes some way towards bringing justice for the killing of our daughter Georgia, there is nothing that can ever bring her back or make up for her loss from this world."
"Georgia was 18 years old and she had her whole life in front of her, which has sadly been taken from her far too soon.
"Since losing her, the lives of her family and friends have been changed forever. The silence she has left behind is overwhelming and every day is a reminder of the future that was taken from her and from all of those who loved her.
"We would like to thank Clare White and the whole team from West Yorkshire police along with counsel for the prosecution Brian Russell for all their efforts in supporting this case and for being by our sides during these difficult and deeply upsetting times.”