Man who caused his girlfriend’s death won’t be punished

Sophie Brimble, 20, died as a result of the collision that happened almost a decade ago

A man found jointly responsible for the death of his girlfriend in a 70mph crash nine years ago has been given an absolute discharge meaning he won’t be punished further.

Sophie Brimble, 20, died as a result of the collision in Brynmawr on July 26, 2017, in which she was travelling in a black Volkswagen Polo driven by Jay Bayliss, now 32, of Heol Onen, Brynmawr.

She was the front seat passenger of the vehicle when Bayliss lost control of the car on the A4047 and crashed into a lamp post. A fact finding trial at Newport Crown Court in March heard Bayliss became involved in an “impromptu” race with Neil Brooks, who was the driver of another car.

It had been previously agreed by doctors that Bayliss was unfit to take part in the trial and it was not possible for him to say if he was guilty or not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

At the conclusion of the two-day hearing Bayliss was found by the jury to be jointly responsible for causing the death of Ms Brimble by dangerous driving. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

At his sentencing on Tuesday Judge Celia Hughes told the court how Bayliss was 23 at the time of the crash and had been driving around the area while his friends drove around in separate cars.

“There is no evidence that I have seen that you had been drinking or taking illicit drugs when you took the decision,” she said. Referring to evidence previously heard, Judge Hughes told the court how Bayliss had been driving in excess of 70mph along a 30mph residential road.

As Bayliss negotiated a right-hand curve in the road he lost control of the car and crashed into a lamppost, she said. The collision resulted in Ms Brimble sustaining “catastrophic injuries” which caused her death at the scene.

Bayliss also received significant physical and psychological injuries which required years of rehabilitation, Judge Hughes said. These injuries have resulted in a traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, mood swings and anxiety. Bayliss has no recollection of the crash, it was heard.

Bayliss lives at home with his mother and nextdoor to his partner of several months. He is unable to work due to his injuries and is the recipient of universal credit, Judge Hughes said. Prior to the crash he had worked as a kitchen and bathroom fitter for a local authority.

He had no prior convictions and has not committed any more offences since the incident. A probation report stated that he poses a “low risk” of further offending and a “medium risk” of causing serious harm to the public, which had reduced from “high” due to his lack of reoffending.

Judge Hughes called his actions “foolhardy and impetuous”, adding that they resulted in “terrible consequences for many people”. She reminded Bayliss that whatever sentence she passed could not change the fact that a young woman “with a whole life ahead of her” had died.

She sentenced Bayliss to an absolute discharge and explained that it was the only sentence she could pass, adding that the only other two available options – either a hospital stay or a supervision order – would not be appropriate.

Judge Hughes expressed her concern that Bayliss had successfully reapplied for a driving licence in 2024. She explained that because Bayliss had been deemed unfit to stand trial she was legally unable to pass a driving ban or disqualification period.

However, she said she is “pleased” to hear that the prosecution is in contact with the DVLA over the matter, and that her comments will be repeated to the agency.