Teen driver who caused girlfriend’s death ‘got away with it’

The family of a teenage girl killed in a horror crash says the driver responsible “got away with it” after he walked free from court this week.

Mentesh Da Silva, 19, escaped with a suspended sentence after admitting causing the death of his girlfriend, Emily Laker, in Broad Oak last August.

He had been driving along Shalloak Road at 12.25am when he took a bend too fast and hit a tree, killing the “kind and caring” 18-year-old.

Her family was in court as a judge spared Da Silva prison, instead suspending an eight-month sentence for a year-and-a-half.

Her father, Ross Laker, said afterwards: “We are still trying to take it in but the result is very disappointing.”

His partner, Lisa Smart, who worked with Miss Laker at the Tyler’s Kiln pub in Canterbury, added: “It seems to us he has just got away with it and the sentence won’t really affect him.

“I’m not sure it sends out much of a deterrent to other young drivers to make sure they drive safely.

“But there is nothing we can do now and we are glad the waiting is over.”

Da Silva – who also goes by the surname Mouherrem – admitted causing death by careless driving and appeared for sentence at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday.

The court was told he was not speeding at the time of the crash but lost control of his Renault Clio, over-correcting and hitting a tree.

He was cut free and taken to a London hospital with a broken jaw and hip and a punctured lung.

Miss Laker, who lived in Sturry, was a passenger in the front seat and died at the scene.

Casey Dixon, who was in the back, escaped with minor injuries.

The court was packed with family and friends of both Miss Lake and Da Silva, who sat on either side of the court and left separately.

There were gasps and tears from the victim’s family and friends when Judge Julian Smith passed the suspended sentence.

“Tragic consequences follow after the collision with the tree, which is literally two yards off the road,” he said.

“In other circumstances it would have been a moment and no more.”

The court heard that Da Silva had earlier been to a house party in Faver- sham but there was no suggestion of him being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

Police told the Gazette a blood sample was taken “at the earliest opportunity” after Da Silva arrived in hospital and showed no alcohol reading.

He left the party during the evening with Mr Dixon to give a friend a lift to Herne Bay. On the way they col- lected Miss Laker from Tyler Hill, where she was working.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall said although the limit in Shalloak Road is 60mph, the speed to take the bend safely should be considerably lower.

“In any event it is unlikely he was travelling over the limit,” she said.

“Clearly, however, he was travelling too fast for the bend.”

Da Silva, described as a “naive driver” because of his inexperience, had a speed box fitted as part of his insurance, which suggested he was driving under 60mph.

Other drivers described the car turned in the road as it as it came towards them; it narrowly missed one car on the other side of the road before returning to the correct side and hitting the tree.

When later interviewed by police, Da Silva made no comment. He gave a prepared statement saying the crash was not clear in his mind.

Mr Dixon said there was nothing remarkable about his friend’s driving.

He was not aware of any problems until he heard Miss Laker shout.

Judge Smith said victim impact statements showed Emily possessed qualities and character which made it clear it was a privilege and pleasure to know her.

He emphasised: “This case and the sentence of this court could not ever measure that life or that loss and the punishment that must follow does not attempt to do so.”

The judge said there was no suggestion of alcohol or drug misuse featuring in the case, which was significant.

“Had there been any driving that could be described as excessive in manner or inappropriate, or any impairment through drink or drugs, my view of the offence would be different,” he continued.

Judge Smith accepted Da Silva had shown genuine and profound remorse.

He disqualified the teenager from driving for two years and ordered him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

He will be subject to a curfew from 7pm to 7am for four months.

‘I’m not sure it sends out a deterrent to other young drivers to make sure they drive safely’