CHASED TO HER DEATH
TWO CARS PURSUE A TERRIFIED YOUNG MOTORIST THROUGH CARDIFF’S STREETS. YESTERDAY, A JEALOUS LOVE RIVAL WAS FOUND GUILTY OF CAUSING HER DEATH.
A JEALOUS woman is facing jail after being found guilty of killing her love rival in a car chase.
Melissa Pesticcio, 23, “literally drove” Sophie Taylor, 22, to her death when her car hit a block of flats in Adamsdown, Cardiff.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Pesticcio and her former boyfriend Michael Wheeler, 23, who were driving separate cars, were chasing Miss Taylor’s black BMW through the city’s streets last August.
Wheeler’s Vauxhall Corsa collided with Miss Taylor’s car, causing it to spin into a building – killing Miss Taylor and causing life-changing injuries to her passenger Joshua Deguara.
Pesticcio, of Llanrumney, Cardiff, was yesterday convicted by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to Mr Deguara.
She was remanded in custody and will be sentenced tomorrow, alongside her “controlling” ex-boyfriend.
Wheeler had been in a relationship with Pesticcio but ended it to get together with Miss Taylor, the court heard.
Wheeler, of Harlech Road, Rumney, Cardiff, previously pleaded guilty to the same charges.
After the verdict, the families of Miss Taylor and Mr Deguara told of their “ongoing nightmare” in the wake of the devastating crash.
Speaking on the steps of Cardiff Crown Court, Sophie’s mum Jackie said: “We have been left devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful princess Sophie and the horrific injuries suffered by Josh.”
The fatal collision happened at 12.35am on August 22 at the junction of Meteor Street and Moira Street in Adamsdown.
Miss Taylor was 22 when she died. Her mother said both families were “broken forever”.
The trial heard how Wheeler and Pesticcio were part of a “joint pursuit” that ended in the fatal collision.
Ms Taylor said: “The very thought of just how frightened and alone my daughter and her friend Josh must have felt on that fateful night – being chased through the streets of Cardiff.
“As her mum, I wasn’t there to protect her from harm’s way and help her when she needed me.”
Following the verdicts, Judge Thomas Crowther QC remanded Pesticcio in custody until tomorrow’s joint sentencing with Wheeler.
The victims’ families said they feel justice can never fully be served.
Ms Taylor said: “For the death of our beloved Sophie, there will be no amount of justice for the events that led to her death and the life-changing injuries that Josh has sustained.”
The court heard Miss Taylor met Wheeler through mutual friends in
June last year. Prosecutors said she took out a £6,500 loan to buy him a motorbike, and he ceased all contact soon afterwards.
The court was told how witnesses saw Pesticcio approach Miss Taylor in Rumney shortly afterwards, telling her: “You’re lucky I’ve got kids in the car or I’d f ****** kill you.”
She also sent a text message during August, referring to Miss Taylor, in which she wrote: “I will find her and I will kill her”.
The fatal crash happened about an hour after Miss Taylor visited Wheeler’s home to ask for the bike or her money back. Pesticcio and Wheeler began their deadly pursuit after the visit.
Sophie’s mum said: “Sophie was our princess, the light of our life – a strong and independent young woman with a huge heart.
“She was a beautiful daughter, sister and friend, capable of giving so much love, and in return all she ever wanted was to be loved back. As a close family, her death has left us ripped apart, unable to cope. We fear we will never be able to get over the devastating loss of our lovely angel. She will never be replaced in our hearts.”
Mr Deguara gave evidence during the trial and the court heard he was in hospital for many months following the collision.
He told the jury: “I didn’t know why I was in hospital or what was happening.”
Following the trial, Ms Taylor said: “No amount of sentence will ever bring Sophie back to us, nor will it wipe away the horrific life-changing physical and mental scars suffered by Josh.
“Joshua is a lovely young man who has his whole life ahead of him.”
She described his injuries as “devastating” and said they have changed his life forever.
His family added he used to love playing football and was due to start a new job just before the crash.
Ms Taylor said: “He is a bright, kind and caring young man with an amazing sense of humour. He was very independent with a great circle of friends so had a busy social life.
“This is now not the case – he is housebound and has lost all his independence.
“This incident has ruined the life of a wonderful young man and taken the life of a beautiful young woman.”
Pesticcio’s trial at Cardiff Crown Court lasted for 11 days and the jury heard from more than 20 witnesses, including collision investigators, eye witnesses and police officers.
The victims’ families described the process as “traumatic”.
Ms Taylor said: “Being forced to listen to the final days of our Soph’s life is something that will haunt us all forever.”
Both families thanked South Wales Police, the prosecution team and Judge Crowther, as well as their family and friends for their “endless support”.
Following the conviction, acting Detective Chief Inspector Rob Cronick praised the dignity and strength of the families.
He said: “Today’s verdict brings to a close the criminal investigation, but the lives of Sophie Taylor’s family, and of course Joshua Deguara and his family, will never be the same.”
DCI Cronick said Wheeler and Pesticcio acted together in their “relentless pursuit” of Miss Taylor and Mr Deguara.
He added: “They literally drove Sophie to her death and left Joshua with horrific injuries from which he may never recover.”
The officer said Wheeler’s treatment of Miss Taylor before her death involved coercion and control and was indicative of systematic domestic abuse.
He suggested Pesticcio was driven by “jealousy” and “rage” as an exgirlfriend of Wheeler.
DCI Cronick added: “Their behaviour leading up to the tragic incident was nothing short of despicable.”
He praised Mr Deguara’s courage and resilience in giving evidence during the trial.
The officer said: “I wish to pay tribute to the family and friends of Sophie and Joshua who have conducted themselves with great dignity and strength.”