Driver's 21-month term 'sends out wrong message'
A FAMILY have slammed the 21-month jail term given to the driver who killed their son.
Leigh Lewis died aged 36 after being hit by John Frowen, who lost control of his car after taking drugs.
Leigh was just two minutes from his home in Gwylfa Road, Townhill, when Frowen, 49, hit him from behind. His car only came to a stop when it struck nearby railings.
Swansea Crown Court heard Frowen had a long history of taking drugs and had taken amphetamines on the day of the accident.
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Leigh's family and friends, who filled the court, have hit out at the 21-month jail term and 5-year driving ban.
They praised the police but said they felt let down by the sentence.
His younger brother Andrew said: "It's not sending out the right message to people. You could walk up to someone in the street and stab them and get life in prison. You kill someone with a car and you get 21 months," said Andrew.
"The courts are supposed to be sending out a message," he added. His mum Ann said: "I've seen him on a number of occasions and he hasn't shown any remorse to us.
"We've not even had a 'sorry' from him," she said.
They warned others about the dangers of getting behind a wheel.
"This is what happens to families when somebody drink- drives or takes drugs. One person's actions can cause utter devastation to a family and countless others," said Andrew. "One person's lack of split-second judgement has caused so much devastation to so many people," said Ann.
"He got in the car that night and his actions have changed our lives forever," she added.
Leigh was well known at the Liberty Stadium, where he sold tickets for the half-time raffle draw and the family want that legacy to continue.
They plan to take his nieces, Cerys and Megan — who Leigh called his "two princesses" — to today's Swans match.
They have placed a photo of him on the lamppost near where he sold tickets and before each home match Ann lays a bunch of flowers next to the picture.
"We have to move forward with our lives now. This man is out of our lives forever now, it's just Leigh's memory we have to keep alive," said Andrew.
The court was told Frowen had a previous conviction for driving while under the influence of drugs and a series of charges for possessing drugs.
Frowen, of Cwmaman Road, Garnant, Ammanford had originally denied causing death by dangerous driving, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving on the second day of his trial.
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Comments
by lewisa1
Friday, September 28 2012, 11:12PM
“there is no justice in this country, it's a joke, the message being sent out is shocking, my brothers, mine and my familys lives are over, all because of some scumbag that still doesn't feel any remorse. One day, his time will come, and we may feel some comfort in knowing that his life is over like my brothers. I hope the judge that sent him down is happy with the sentence he put on him and that the same thing happens to him one day, i bet the person would get a lot longer. absolutely disgusting and disrespectfull!! steal money or deal drugs and you'll get more, no wonder people dont respect the law.”
by odinhouse
Sunday, September 02 2012, 5:14PM
“Well what ever next 21 months for Killing a person and you get 10 years for conning some banks over Money. show's Money is more important that Life . ( and he should be Band for Life for Driving cars )”
by Hadoken6773
Sunday, September 02 2012, 11:18AM
“Just highlights how stupid and out of touch many of the laws in this country are.
Until recently it was only illegal for police to remove squatters from your home, "great britain" what a joke!”
by BobDavies2
Sunday, September 02 2012, 10:32AM
“You get 12 months for racial name calling, 11 months more for driving and killing a pedestrian whilst under the influence of drugs, with a history of driving whilst under the influence of drugs.
Absolutely incredible!”
by brochadav
Saturday, September 01 2012, 10:09AM
“As far as I'm concerned if you drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and kill someone it should be called murder and carry a life sentence.
Where is the deterrent? where is the justice in this?
My sympathies to the family for losing their loved one and also for the ridiculously short "punishment"”