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Stone throw crash teens sentenced Stone throw crash teens sentenced
(20 minutes later)
Three teenagers who threw stones onto a main south Wales road, leading to the death of a motorist, have been sent to youth custody. Three teenagers who threw stones onto a main south Wales road, leading to the death of a motorist, have been sent to youth detention.
John Lee Wells, 29, from Rassau in Ebbw Vale, died in July 2008 following a collision on the A465 road.John Lee Wells, 29, from Rassau in Ebbw Vale, died in July 2008 following a collision on the A465 road.
Luke John Cotter, 16, from Treharris, was sentenced to four years by Merthyr Crown Court and his brother Alan Type, 15, from Merthyr, received three years.Luke John Cotter, 16, from Treharris, was sentenced to four years by Merthyr Crown Court and his brother Alan Type, 15, from Merthyr, received three years.
A 13-year-old girl was detained for two years.A 13-year-old girl was detained for two years.
The teenagers had pleaded guilty in April to a summary of charges of causing criminal damage with intent to destroy property, and acting recklessly in regard to whether life would be endangeredThe teenagers had pleaded guilty in April to a summary of charges of causing criminal damage with intent to destroy property, and acting recklessly in regard to whether life would be endangered
Eleven vehicles were damaged in the incident and a woman sustained a broken arm.Eleven vehicles were damaged in the incident and a woman sustained a broken arm.
It is with some sadness that no-one has been held directly responsible for this tragedy Ieuan Morris, prosecutingIt is with some sadness that no-one has been held directly responsible for this tragedy Ieuan Morris, prosecuting
Mr Wells had been travelling from work in Swansea. His silver Fiat Ibiza collided with another car near the Goytre Lane underpass near Merthyr on 18 July.Mr Wells had been travelling from work in Swansea. His silver Fiat Ibiza collided with another car near the Goytre Lane underpass near Merthyr on 18 July.
The court heard that several witnesses reported seeing stones being thrown before the incident by youths in hoodies.The court heard that several witnesses reported seeing stones being thrown before the incident by youths in hoodies.
Prosecuting, Ieuan Morris said an unidentified driver, who has never come forward or been traced, came to a halt in the middle of the carriageway with no regard to vehicles following.Prosecuting, Ieuan Morris said an unidentified driver, who has never come forward or been traced, came to a halt in the middle of the carriageway with no regard to vehicles following.
"This would have catastrophic consequences for two vehicles travelling behind in the same lane and an oncoming car travelling in the opposite direction," he said."This would have catastrophic consequences for two vehicles travelling behind in the same lane and an oncoming car travelling in the opposite direction," he said.
The court heard that Mr Wells was fatally injured after he lost control of his car and collided with an oncoming vehicle.The court heard that Mr Wells was fatally injured after he lost control of his car and collided with an oncoming vehicle.
It happened after another car, being driven by Jamie Hulbert, suddenly pulled out in front of him in order to avoid debris on the highway and the vehicle which had come to a standstill.It happened after another car, being driven by Jamie Hulbert, suddenly pulled out in front of him in order to avoid debris on the highway and the vehicle which had come to a standstill.
"Sadly, Mr Wells lost control when overtaking Mr Hulbert who had pulled out into his path and collided with a car being driven in the opposite direction by Janet Cooper, aged 43 years," said Mr Morris."Sadly, Mr Wells lost control when overtaking Mr Hulbert who had pulled out into his path and collided with a car being driven in the opposite direction by Janet Cooper, aged 43 years," said Mr Morris.
It is obvious even to a 12-year-old that to throw stones at a car will cause damage and risk the life of the person in the car Judge John CurranIt is obvious even to a 12-year-old that to throw stones at a car will cause damage and risk the life of the person in the car Judge John Curran
"In the light of the particular and exceptional circumstances of the case, it is with some sadness that no-one has been held directly responsible for this tragedy."In the light of the particular and exceptional circumstances of the case, it is with some sadness that no-one has been held directly responsible for this tragedy.
"As a matter of law, it cannot be said that the defendants directly caused the fatal collision. Their unforgiveable conduct however, did not help."As a matter of law, it cannot be said that the defendants directly caused the fatal collision. Their unforgiveable conduct however, did not help.
"Furthermore, a number of motorists noticed that it provoked laughter among the youths at the chaos being caused.""Furthermore, a number of motorists noticed that it provoked laughter among the youths at the chaos being caused."
Sentencing, Judge John Curran said: "It is obvious even to a 12-year-old that to throw stones at a car will cause damage and risk the life of the person in the car.Sentencing, Judge John Curran said: "It is obvious even to a 12-year-old that to throw stones at a car will cause damage and risk the life of the person in the car.
"It needs to be stated that this is a very grave offence causing damage and endangering life that the defendants have pleaded guilty to."It needs to be stated that this is a very grave offence causing damage and endangering life that the defendants have pleaded guilty to.
"It was deliberate and malicious conduct. The sentence has to reflect the gravity of the offence and deter others from following their example.""It was deliberate and malicious conduct. The sentence has to reflect the gravity of the offence and deter others from following their example."
He described Cotter as a "persistent young offender" who had committed offences including stone throwing since the incident and was at high risk of offending again.He described Cotter as a "persistent young offender" who had committed offences including stone throwing since the incident and was at high risk of offending again.
Judge Curran also said Type had been reprimanded for hoax calls and had committed a public order offence.Judge Curran also said Type had been reprimanded for hoax calls and had committed a public order offence.
He said the 13-year-old girl told lies in her police interview.He said the 13-year-old girl told lies in her police interview.
Judge Curran said the girl pleaded guilty on the basis that she had not thrown a stone but he highlighted that this was a joint enterprise.Judge Curran said the girl pleaded guilty on the basis that she had not thrown a stone but he highlighted that this was a joint enterprise.
"She collected stones, put them in her pocket and passed the stones to throw," he said."She collected stones, put them in her pocket and passed the stones to throw," he said.
After the case, Robert Coleman, Mr Wells's uncle, said his nephew died through no fault of his own.After the case, Robert Coleman, Mr Wells's uncle, said his nephew died through no fault of his own.
"John was a very likeable person. He represented Wales in kickboxing and he wanted to open a centre for children in Merthyr."John was a very likeable person. He represented Wales in kickboxing and he wanted to open a centre for children in Merthyr.
"It is terrible. A life is a life, not four years. It should be 20 years.""It is terrible. A life is a life, not four years. It should be 20 years."