Driver 'killed girlfriend after 80mph crash in impromptu race'

A woman died in an 80mph crash after her boyfriend allegedly entered an "impromptu race" through residential streets with another driver, a court has heard.

Jay Bayliss, 32, lost control of his Volkswagen Polo while driving at almost three times the speed limit and smashed into a lamppost in Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, in July 2017.

Bayliss began to race Neil Brooks while his girlfriend Sophie Brimble, 20, was the front passenger. She died at the scene in King Street.

Newport Court Court heard on Monday the crash happened when Bayliss, who is accused of causing Brimble's death by dangerous driving, tried to navigate a bend.

Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe told the court: "Bayliss had got himself involved in an impromptu race with a man called Neil Brooks.

"Bayliss was driving the car in front, Neil Brooks was driving behind him - both driving at excessive speed."

Brooks was jailed for eight years in 2019 at Cardiff Crown Court for causing Brimble's death by dangerous driving, and causing serious injury to Bayliss by dangerous driving.

Bayliss was deemed not fit to stand trial at the time due to his injuries.

Cobbe said the pair raced along the single carriageway road between Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr.

He said Bayliss was "aggressive" when Brooks overtook him at one point in the race, and Bayliss went the wrong way around a roundabout to retake the lead.

He added: "Bayliss was travelling way above the speed limit in the lead up to the collision, driving through excessive speeds in a residential area, in excess of 80mph.

"Brooks was a very short distance behind him, matching Bayliss for speed until the last few moments.

"Bayliss lost control, his car began to rotate and it slid towards and collided with a lamppost. The result was a catastrophe."

The jury heard a collision investigator estimated Bayliss was travelling at a speed close to 90mph in the 30mph limit when he passed a petrol station shortly before he crashed.

Cobbe told the jury: "Both Bayliss and Brooks were driving at excessive speeds and racing along the A4047.

"That racing and driving at excessive speed contributed to his loss of control and of course causing the death of Sophie."

The trial, which is expected to last three days, continues.