Driver 'deliberately removed black box' from car before crash that killed girl
Christopher West, 42, was speeding in a 30mph zone in Heol Trelai in Caerau, Cardiff when he struck and killed Keely Morgan, 15, who had been enjoying the bank holiday with her family
A court has heard how a driver deliberately removed the black box from his car before hitting and killing a schoolgirl.
Christopher West, 42, was speeding in a 30mph zone when he struck 15-year-old Keely Morgan in Heol Trelai in Caerau, Cardiff, in May 2023, the prosecution alleges.
Keely had spent her final few hours with her family at the seaside in Barry, enjoying the May Day bank holiday before going for an evening walk after they had returned home. The teen had a 'beautiful smile that would light up a room,' her heartbroken family said, adding that she would 'never be forgotten'.
The court heard West had been 'showing off' to two young passengers in his black Vauxhall Astra before the devastating crash.
Keely was standing at a zebra crossing waiting at about 9.30pm when she was hit, emergency services were called but she tragically died at the scene.
A post-mortem was carried out and experts concluded that the schoolgirl had died due to 'multiple blunt force injuries'.
West has admitted causing death by careless driving and driving without insurance due to the fact that the black box had been removed from his vehicle.
But West disputes that he deliberately removed the black box or telematics device, which monitors how a car is being driven. He also disputes the manner of his driving at the time of the crash.
A collision investigator estimated West was driving at 38miles per hour when he struck Keely in the 30mph zone, Prosecutor Claire Wilks said.
'PC Littlewood's calculation and his general conclusions put the speed at 38 miles per hour - almost 30 per cent in excess of the speed limit,' she told the court.
She said that West's 'deliberate removal' of the black box was 'consistent with him then showing off' as he travelled from Barry to Cardiff on the night of the crash.
For the defence, Kevin Seal told the court that West knew that removing the black box would invalidate his insurance meaning he would not have removed it.
There was no mechanical fault found with the car, a previous hearing was told, and West had no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system.
A further hearing will take place into the disputed evidence so a ruling can be made ahead of sentence, Judge Paul Hobson said. West, from Ely, Cardiff, was bailed ahead of a further hearing at Cardiff Crown Court next week.
Keely's mum Sian Morgan and stepdad Liam Coulthard paid tribute to the teen saying: 'Keely always had such a beautiful smile that would light up a room.
'She was sensible, kind and not one person ever had a bad word to say about her. Rest in peace Keely. You will never be forgotten.'
In a previously released tribute family members said: 'Fly high my beautiful cousin. Love you with all my heart.Keep the sky beautiful for us my strong girl done everyone proud.'
A mural tribute to Keely has been created on a wall in a local park in Caerau by renowned graffiti artist Tee2Sugars. The artist said: 'It's been bananas. The local people have all been down (to the mural) and are just happy that it's been done.'
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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Driver 'deliberately removed black box' from car before crash that killed girl
Christopher West, 42, was speeding in a 30mph zone in Heol Trelai in Caerau, Cardiff when he struck and killed Keely Morgan, 15, who had been enjoying the bank holiday with her family A court has heard how a driver deliberately removed the black box from his car before hitting and killing a schoolgirl. Christopher West, 42, was speeding in a 30mph zone when he struck 15-year-old Keely Morgan in Heol Trelai in Caerau, Cardiff, in May 2023, the prosecution alleges. Keely had spent her final few hours with her family at the seaside in Barry, enjoying the May Day bank holiday before going for an evening walk after they had returned home. The teen had a 'beautiful smile that would light up a room,' her heartbroken family said, adding that she would 'never be forgotten'. The court heard West had been 'showing off' to two young passengers in his black Vauxhall Astra before the devastating crash. Keely was standing at a zebra crossing waiting at about 9.30pm when she was hit, emergency services were called but she tragically died at the scene. A post-mortem was carried out and experts concluded that the schoolgirl had died due to 'multiple blunt force injuries'. West has admitted causing death by careless driving and driving without insurance due to the fact that the black box had been removed from his vehicle. But West disputes that he deliberately removed the black box or telematics device, which monitors how a car is being driven. He also disputes the manner of his driving at the time of the crash. A collision investigator estimated West was driving at 38miles per hour when he struck Keely in the 30mph zone, Prosecutor Claire Wilks said. 'PC Littlewood's calculation and his general conclusions put the speed at 38 miles per hour - almost 30 per cent in excess of the speed limit,' she told the court. She said that West's 'deliberate removal' of the black box was 'consistent with him then showing off' as he travelled from Barry to Cardiff on the night of the crash. For the defence, Kevin Seal told the court that West knew that removing the black box would invalidate his insurance meaning he would not have removed it. There was no mechanical fault found with the car, a previous hearing was told, and West had no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system. A further hearing will take place into the disputed evidence so a ruling can be made ahead of sentence, Judge Paul Hobson said. West, from Ely, Cardiff, was bailed ahead of a further hearing at Cardiff Crown Court next week. Keely's mum Sian Morgan and stepdad Liam Coulthard paid tribute to the teen saying: 'Keely always had such a beautiful smile that would light up a room. 'She was sensible, kind and not one person ever had a bad word to say about her. Rest in peace Keely. You will never be forgotten.' In a previously released tribute family members said: 'Fly high my beautiful cousin. Love you with all my the sky beautiful for us my strong girl done everyone proud.' A mural tribute to Keely has been created on a wall in a local park in Caerau by renowned graffiti artist Tee2Sugars. The artist said: 'It's been bananas. The local people have all been down (to the mural) and are just happy that it's been done.'
STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
Drunk skipper fined after ship ran aground when he fell asleep
A skipper has been fined for causing serious damage to a fishing boat on the Isle of Rum when he fell asleep after drinking alcohol. Shaun MacInnes, from Eriskay, was in charge of the FV Annette when it ran aground on the Isle of Rum on March 31, 2022. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigated the incident and said the 29-year-old denied drinking. He claimed he had fallen asleep because he was tired due to 'personal circumstances'. However, during the trial the court heard evidence that MacInnes had been directed by its owner to take the wooden-hulled vessel from Eriskay to Mallaig for repairs. While in Mallaig, MacInnes telephoned the owner, stating that he intended to take the deckhand to the Isle of Rum 'sightseeing' once repairs were made. The owner agreed on the strict understanding that MacInnes did not consume any alcohol before or during the trip. During the trial, witnesses gave evidence about MacInnes' condition when they encountered him. A fisheries officer who spoke with MacInnes just after 4pm said he could smell beer on his breath and saw that he was unsteady on his feet. He was said to be slurring his words and at one point, fell off the skipper's chair which was surrounded by empty beer cans. The fisheries officer was so concerned about MacInnes' condition and his intention of setting sail for Rum that he called the police. A police officer arrived and boarded the vessel, finding MacInnes asleep in the wheelhouse. He managed to wake him with the assistance of the deckhand. The officer established their intention to go to sea and attempted to persuade them to remain in Mallaig and sleep off the effects before setting sail the following day. After 10pm that evening, the Coastguard responded to a Mayday call from the boat after it ran aground on rocks. The boat sustained significant damage and was recovered and escorted back to Mallaig by lifeboat crews. MacInnes was fined £2,000 with a £75 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation. Speaking after the sentencing, Debbie Carroll, who leads on health and safety investigations for the COPFS, said: 'It is clear from the evidence led at trial that Shaun MacInnes ignored instructions from the owner of the vessel and the police in taking an unnecessary trip while under the effects of alcohol and fell asleep. 'As the master of the vessel, he failed to keep a proper lookout and caused it to run aground putting his and his deckhand's lives at risk, causing serious damage to the boat and the needless deployment of emergency service resources. 'COPFS will continue to work closely with the MCA to ensure anyone who breaks the law faces prosecutorial action.' Jay Staff, MCA deputy head of Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations, said: 'The MCA will always support partners or take action itself against seafarers or operators behaving dangerously anywhere in the UK. 'We will always work to hold responsible those who, like Shaun MacInnes, put crew, other seafarers and the public at risk by failing to follow the rules that keep people safe on the water.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Courier
3 days ago
- The Courier
Montrose driver with 'no empathy' left pedestrian, 64, with horrific eye injuries in road rage attack
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