‘The two drivers will never understand or realise the utter devastation and heartbreak they caused’
A MUM has opened up on her heartbreak at losing her “happy-go-lucky” daughter in a collision that has devastated her family’s life forever.
Denise Richards spoke out after Joseph Fettah and Jamie Oaten were yesterday jailed for causing the death of her 30-year-old daughter Jenna Miller by driving dangerously.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Fettah and Oaten took part in an “impromptu race” on a Barry street which saw them accelerate to speeds of more than 70mph in a 30mph zone, ending in a collision that killed the mum of two young children.
Oaten, 24, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, while his codefendant Fettah, 20, denied the charge and was found guilty after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Ms Miller was 30 when she died as a result of injuries she suffered in the crash.
The court heard the incident occurred near the Texaco garage on the A4055 Cardiff Road in Barry at about 9pm on September 27 last year.
In an emotional victim impact statement read out during yesterday’s hearing, Mrs Richards said: “What I write can never describe losing Jenna so suddenly and unnecessarily.
“I just don’t know where to begin. Me and my family are still devastated and I believe we will never fully recover.”
Fettah, 20, from Maes Y Gwenyn in Rhoose, was sentenced to five years detention at a young offender institution and disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.
Oaten, 24, from Estrella House in Barry, was jailed for three years and nine months and disqualified from driving for seven years.
Ms Richards said she and her daughter were “best friends” and used to see each other or speak on the phone every day.
She said: “I would give anything to hear the phone ring. I realise Jenna will never ring again for a chat.”
Ms Miller leaves behind a husband and two sons, aged six and 10.
Their grandmother, who is currently looking after them, said: “How can that be fair to lose their mum at such a young age?”
Reflecting on the court process, she said: “My thoughts about the two drivers – they will never understand or realise the utter devastation and heartbreak they have caused.
“It might have given them a bit of a buzz to drive so quickly on a public road, but their moment of madness has left me and my family with a lifetime of sadness.
“They still have a future in front of them, but Jenna does not.”
She added: “We find it difficult to come to terms with the fact we will never see Jenna again.
“I will never get over losing my beautiful, intelligent, happy-go-lucky daughter.”
Prosecutors said Ms Miller, in a Mazda 6, had just finished filling her car up with fuel when she went to turn right out of the petrol station.
The court heard how experts agreed Fettah, driving a Volkswagen Golf, and Oaten, in an Audi A5, averaged 70mph for a 150m stretch of road.
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told the court Oaten failed to see Ms Miller in time and could not stop but “skidded” and crashed into the side of her car.
Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said: “Ms Miller did not stand a chance.”
She suffered “catastrophic” injuries and later died at the University Hospital of Wales.
The prosecutor said Fettah avoided the two vehicles after “heavy braking” and parked around the corner.
He returned briefly to the scene, before leaving and getting picked up by a friend for a party.
The court heard the two defendants, who did not know each other, blamed each other for the fatal collision.
Greg Bull QC, defending Fettah, stressed his client had no previous convictions and suggested he had shown “genuine remorse”.
He told the court the whole race lasted less than 20 seconds.
Christopher Rees, defending Oaten, told the court his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and had been unable to sleep since the incident.
He said: “Mr Oaten wishes to express his guilt and sorrow publicly.”
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Hopkins told the defendants: “Jenna Miller was a popular, clever and talented young woman with her life in front of her. You have taken that away.”
He added: “What prompted you to drive as you did, other than testosteronefuelled competitiveness, is not known, but there is no doubt about what then happened.
“Ms Miller was barely 30 years old when she died. The effects each of you has had by your actions upon those who are bereaved in this case are all too clear.
“For her friends, her family, her husband and her two sons, you have imposed a life sentence.”
Speaking after the hearing, the victim’s family said: “We are still devastated at the sudden and tragic manner in which we lost our beautiful Jenna.”
“She was an entirely innocent victim and clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time when her path crossed with these two boy racers whose selfish, immature and arrogant behaviour in deciding to race their cars on a public road resulted in such devastation.
“Fettah even tried to argue that he was not involved in the incident but we are pleased that a jury saw through his lies and found him just as guilty as Oaten for causing Jenna’s death by dangerous driving.
“We wish to express our gratitude to all persons who tried in vain to help Jenna on the night as well as the many witnesses who subsequently attended the court trial to give evidence in difficult circumstances.
“We also wish to thank the South Wales and Gwent police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service for their detailed
investigation which has resulted in a successful end to proceedings.
“It’s heartbreaking that two young boys, through no fault of their own, now have to grow up without the mum they idolised.
“We are totally committed to bringing the boys up so that they develop into decent young men who Jenna would have been proud of.
“Finally, we hope that the lengthy prison terms handed down to Oaten and Fettah give them the opportunity to reflect at the heartache and devastation they have caused.”