South Glos drug driver who killed teen sentenced to five years
16-year-old Daniel Davies was killed when his moped was hit by Harry Charlton, from Kingswood
Last updated 21st Oct 2024
A drug driver who caused a crash in South Gloucestershire which killed a 16-year-old, has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Harry Charlton (29) from Kingswood admitted causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed drugs limit, in relation to a crash at the A4174 Wraxall Road roundabout in April 2022.
Bristol Crown Court heard Charlton had driven through a red light at over the speed limit, when his Ford Fiesta hit a moped being ridden by 16-year-old Daniel Davies.
Despite the efforts of members of the public, an off-duty police officer and attending emergency services, Daniel died at the scene.
Charlton was arrested after which a test showed he was over the limit for cannabis.
He was sentenced to five years in prison, disqualified from driving for two years from the date of his release and ordered to carry out an extended re-test, during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court today (21st October).
Sentencing, Judge Martin Picton said: “Daniel Davies was 16 when he died, tragically and unnecessarily. He had his whole life in front of him.
"You, Harry Charlton drove through a red light with cannabis above the limit for driving.
"Your level of concentration was affected by the cannabis as was your ability to safely control your vehicle. You should have stopped at the red light."
Paying tribute to her son, Daniel's mum Sam Davies said there will "never be a sentence long enough" for taking Daniel.
"He was one of the 'good ones' in life," she said.
"He was clever, funny and had a good heart. He had his whole future ahead of him.
"The pain of losing Daniel is a pain like no other, a sadness sadder than any sad.
"Myself, the family, friends and his friends will miss him forever but we will all live for him and never forget him.
"Daniel we are, in your words for your dad, 'living for you' and we always will."
Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said: "Daniel's family have shown extraordinary courage over an unimaginably difficult two-and-a-half-years and I'd like to pay tribute to them for that.
"This is yet another example of someone's life being tragically cut short due to a driver not being in a fit state to be on the roads.
"Drugs impair your ability to drive safely and risk causing yourself or other motorists coming to serious harm.
"Charlton was solely responsible for Daniel's death and will face the consequences of his decisions that night for the rest of his life."