5 days ago
Teen driver, 17, had only passed his test day before killing friend in crash after doing 'doughnuts' in car park
Teen driver, 17, had only passed his test day before killing friend in crash after doing 'doughnuts' in car park
A teenager who killed his friend in a crash while doing 'doughnuts' had only just passed his driving test the day before.
Josh Atkins, 17, died after the car he was a passenger in crashed in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, back in November 2023.
A court heard Corey Owen Cooper, then also 17, had only just passed his test the day before he crashed his grandfather's Fiat Grand Punto.
The teenager had done 'doughnuts' in a car park before the crash took place, and sped between 47mph and 53mph on 20mph roads nearby.
Cooper pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to seriously injuring another passenger at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC released Cooper on bail and he will be sentenced on November 7.
The judge said: 'It is almost - as night follows day - that you will be sent into custody. The only issue for me to determine is for how long.
'There's also the question of disqualification. In the interim, I will disqualify you from driving - that's to say you are not permitted by law to drive on public roads.
Corey Owen Cooper pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to seriously injuring another passenger at Sheffield Crown Court (pictured) on Monday
'You are released on unconditional bail. You must not read anything into the fact I'm ordering a pre-sentence report - or the fact you are on bail.
'The likelihood is in fact almost an inevitability that you will be taken into custody. You have to prepare yourself for that.'
Prosecutor Ian West told the court Cooper only passed his driving test 24 hours previously before causing the crash on November 11, 2023.
Mr West said: 'He had driven the vehicle the day before, it belonged to his grandfather.'
Barristers representing Cooper, now aged 19, are set to submit a basis of plea over the next week, which is understood to relate to Cooper's failure to note an error message relating to the vehicle's 'faulty ABS braking system'.
Following Josh's death, the family said his organs were donated to four people.
Scores of Josh's loved ones came together at Hillsborough Park, in Sheffield, for a memorial walk last November, while raising money for charity.
Speaking at the time, Josh's auntie, Claire Chapman, said: 'It was a great afternoon, even with the rain. We all loved to see to see so many of Josh's friends turn out for him.
'I think it was a day of remembrance and reflection rather than sadness.'
