Cameron Jones sentenced to 10 years for killing his girlfriend Demi Mabbitt in a crash in Merthyr Tydfil
Ms Mabbitt, 25, died a week after the crash on 5 April
Jones, 30, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured, as well as three other charges
Sentencing takes place at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Demi Mabbitt's father says his family have been "torn apart" by her death
Judge Jeremy Jenkins calls Jones "disingenuous", "inhuman" and "self-centred"
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Image source, South Wales PoliceSouth Wales Police says Jones crashed the Audi into a garden wall.
After the sentencing, Det Sgt Debbie Hobrough, a serious collision investigation officer, says: “Demi Mabbitt lay dying on the side of the road when Jones callously fled from the scene of the crash without trying to help her.
“The tragic manner of Demi’s death has shaken the whole community."
She describes Jones' actions as "appalling".
“Today’s sentence will mean that Jones is behind bars and unable to cause further harm,” she adds.
Image source, Family PhotoIn a statement released by police after sentencing, Demi Mabbitt’s father, Paul, says: "Today has been another difficult day in the journey of our devastating loss.
"No sentence will ever be enough to bring justice for the death of our beautiful girl Demi.
"Demi was only 25 years old, she had her whole life ahead of her. She was the kindest, most selfless person you could meet. She had the biggest heart, the most beautiful smile and a laugh more infectious than any.
"Demi was her Mam's best friend, Dad's two eyes. Younger sister to Gemma, Ben and Jordan. Older sister to Callie and Keisha but the boss of them all.
"Her niece and nephews were spoilt rotten and were her world. Nothing was ever too much trouble for her," he said. "Our family is broken.
"We love you Dems, forever and always”
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Sentencing hearings bring an end to a criminal case but also allow a victim’s family members the opportunity to be part of the process.
As Cameron Jones entered the dock today, the court fell silent - members of Demi Mabbitt’s family were already in court, waiting for the case to start.
The real emotion came as Demi’s father chose to read his own victim impact statement.
Many of the family were in tears, with Paul Mabbitt having to stop at times to get the words out - making clear how their lives had been changed forever by the actions of Cameron Jones.
Cameron Jones himself sometimes appeared agitated - red faced and glassy eyed - but later showed no emotion as his sentence was read out.
The Crown Prosecution Service says Jones surrendered himself after three weeks on the run on 28 April 2024.
During a police interview, he answered no comment to all questions, but admitted he was the driver of the Audi.
The prosecution case included CCTV footage showing the vehicle being driven by Jones and him fleeing the scene. DNA evidence from the car corroborated Jones as being the driver.
Jordan Jones, from the CPS says in a statement: "This case highlights the severe consequences of dangerous driving.
"Cameron Jones' actions have led to a tragic loss of life, and his attempts to evade responsibility only compounded the grief of Demi Mabbitt’s loved ones.
"Our thoughts remain with Demi’s family and friends."
To sum up what we've just heard, Cameron Jones from Merthyr Tydfil has been sentenced to 10 years for killing girlfriend Demi Mabbitt by driving dangerously while disqualified and uninsured.
Jones, 30, fled the scene of the crash, leaving 25-year-old Ms Mabbitt lying in the road with "serious" injuries. She died in hospital a week later.
Jones turned himself in at a police station three weeks later and pleaded guilty to all five charges.
Sentencing Jones today, Judge Jeremy Jenkins says his actions were "deliberate and dangerous" and "inhuman and self centred".
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
The judge tells the guards to “take him down” and Jones is taken back to the cells of the court.
The sentencing hearing is now over.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
The judge thanks Demi Mabbitt’s family for the “dignity” they have shown.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Cameron Jones is sentenced to 10 years and will serve half in prison.
He is also disqualified from driving for 10 years.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
"An immediate custodial sentence is inevitable," the judge tells Cameron Jones.
He says Jones showed "total cowardice" by running away.
He says "you have shown not the slightest remorse or contrition."
Judge Jenkins says Jones has written him a letter describing Ms Mabbitt as "the love of your life".
"I find that disingenous."
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Demi Mabbitt "should have had the rest of her life to look forward to", Judge Jeremy Jenkins adds.
He says Jones’ decision to give a statement after he handed himself into police was "patently self serving" and notes his two previous convictions for dangerous driving, one in 2015 and one in 2018.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
The judge continues, telling Jones "with self preservation in mind, you took a bag from the vehicle and with no regard for Ms Mabbitt, you ran away".
"You actions actions were inhuman and self centred," he says.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Judge Jeremy Jenkins tells Jones his actions were "deliberate and dangerous".
"You did not seem to have any regard for Ms Mabbitt or her condition."
The judge says Jones' comments at the scene were a "calculated lie".
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Judge Jeremy Jenkins is now beginning his sentencing remarks.
Cameron Jones is asked to stand.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Andrew Davies, Cameron Jones’ defence barrister, says his client understands the "incurable hurt and pain of his actions".
He says he is "devastated by the consequences of his driving".
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Abigail Jackson is outlining “aggravating factors”, which the prosecution believes the judge should consider when sentencing.
She says Cameron Jones was "untraceable by the police for a period of time”, surrendering himself at a police station three weeks later on 28 April.
Jones has 27 previous convictions for 55 offences, including motoring convictions, the court is told.
The court hears Jones was released from custody on 6 March 2024, 30 days before the crash, and was subject to licence conditions at the time.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Prosecutor Abigail Jackson reads a statement from Gemma Williams, Demi Mabbitt's sister.
She describes Demi as "my little best friend" and said "she was the best sister with a heart of gold," and "nothing was ever too much trouble for her".
"My sister didn’t deserve any of this," she says.
"She trusted too much and fell for the wrong person."
She says Jones "tore our family apart and left a hole we will never mend".
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Many members of Demi Mabbitt’s family are visibily upset as Paul Mabbitt reads his statement.
“You have taken Demi from my family and, for that, I will never forgive you," he tells Jones.
"This was an act of stupidity and selfishness."
Mr Mabbitt is in tears as he leaves the witness box.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Image source, Family PhotoPaul Mabbitt, Demi’s father, is reading a statement on behalf of his family, who he says have been “torn apart” by her death.
He says she will always be their "baby girl".
His daughter “had the most amazing laugh and put a smile on everyone’s face".
He says he received a call on 5 April and will "never be able to forget what I saw that day and the image of Demi lying on the side of the road".
He says Demi had been in a relationship with Cameron Jones for four years.
"We did not approve of Cameron", he says.
Nelli Bird
BBC News at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court
Image source, MICK LOBB/GEOGRAPHDemi Mabbitt was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and assessed as having an “extensive head injury”, the court hears.
She was treated by the critical care team but, by 11 April, her condition was "becoming worse".
Ms Jackson says, on 12 April, Ms Mabbitt had an ultrasound scan of her heart which showed abnormalities.
She was pronounced dead at 11:20 BST that day - one week after the crash.