Dangerous driver jailed after killing grandmother

A man who killed a grandmother while driving dangerously and under the influence has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

Jamie Hawken, aged 30, from St Dennis, St Austell, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Bodmin Magistrates Court on 14 November.

The court heard Hawken was driving on the B3274 towards Ruddlemoor, near St Austellm when he encroached onto the opposing lane and into the path of 56-year-old motorcyclist Tracy Godfrey.

Hawken was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison, of which he must serve two-thirds, and was banned from driving for 10 years at Truro Crown Court on Thursday.

Devon & Cornwall Police said officers were notified at about 10.30 GMT on Friday 13 October 2023 to reports of the collision, which involved a Vauxhall van driven by Hawken and a Honda motorbike ridden by Godfrey.

After the impact, Hawken did not stop or call 999 but instead drove his significantly damaged van just over a mile to Trethowel before dumping it and walking to St Austell, the court heard.

Hawken's phone was seized after his arrest the following day and showed he had been on his phone sending messages and making calls just before the crash.

The court heard he was found to have alcohol and drugs in his system and was three times over the legal limit at the time of his arrest.

Det Con Rachel Ellis, of the Serious Collision investigation Team, said she hoped the sentence served "to educate and deter those who fail to comply by the law".

"Hawken made a deliberate decision to drive in a way that presents an obvious risk, the intoxicated state in which he chose to drive along with allowing the interactions with his phone to become his primary focus caused him to cross the carriageway with fatal consequences," she said.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Tracy's family; they have conducted themselves with commendable dignity and patience throughout this difficult process."

Her family said the loss had "changed us forever".

"Our hearts go out to the defendant's family, who are also affected by the consequences of his actions," they added.

"We hold a deep compassion for the witness who stayed with nan and did everything they could; they carry a burden no-one should have to bear.

"We miss her every single day, and it hurts beyond words that her life was taken far too soon in so devastating a manner."

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