Speeding driver jailed for death of taxi passenger

Jez Shepherd was jailed for 12 years and disqualified from driving for 16 years

A man who was high on drugs when he stole a car and caused the death of a passenger in a taxi after speeding at 90mph (145kph) in a 30mph (48 kph) zone has been jailed.

Wayne Putley, 50, was a rear seat passenger in the cab that collided with the stolen Fiat Punto on Westgate, Morecambe, in the early hours of 10 August. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Jez Shepherd, of Green Street, Morecambe, was jailed for 12 years and disqualified from driving for 16 years.

The 23-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified from driving, causing death whilst unlicensed/uninsured, aggravated vehicle taking and other offences.

Wayne Putley was an award-winning dry-stone wall builder known for his "kind heart"

Preston Crown Court heard Shepherd had stolen the car earlier that day and driven around Morecambe at speed

Lancashire Police said he made off without paying for fuel from a garage and was more than twice the drink drive limit, after also taking drugs.

Mr Putley, who was an award-winning dry-stone wall builder, suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The father-of-three had a passion for the outdoors and a love for animals, especially dogs, police said.

'Completely avoidable'

His family said he 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.

They said "the tragedy was completely avoidable", describing the car as "a deadly weapon" in Shepherd's hands.

Senior investigating officer Sgt Martin Wilcock said: "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."