Dangerous driver jailed for offences

A 28-year-old Shropshire man convicted five years ago of causing the death of his fiancee and another woman in an horrific crash has been jailed for three years for a string of serious driving offences.

Ian Roberts, of Grindley Brook, Whitchurch, was jailed for five years and three months in 2003 for causing the deaths by dangerous driving of his fiancee, 17-year-old Laura Reynolds, and 26-year-old Louise Evans on Whitchurch bypass the previous year.

He was also banned from driving for five years. His driving style has been branded "a risk" to others.

Yesterday, at a Shrewsbury Crown Court hearing, he admitted dangerous driving, three charges of driving while disqualified, three of driving without insurance, taking a vehicle without consent, aggravated vehicle taking and making off from a petrol station without paying, all between January 23 and February 14 this year. He had two further offences considered.

Mr Simon Davis, prosecuting, said Roberts took the keys of a Mercedes van belonging to his father and, after making off with £171 worth of fuel from a petrol station also owned by his father, led police on a chase along dark, winding and narrow country lanes around Wem at speeds of up to 50mph.

The day before Roberts had taken his girlfriend's Audi A3 without her knowledge and driven off from a petrol station in Whitchurch without paying for £57 of fuel.

Mr Davis said three weeks before that Roberts had again been at the wheel of the Audi when he roared passed one car, forcing the driver to take evasive action.

Mr Shaun Brogan, defending, said Roberts had never recovered from the death of his fiancee, nor from his brother's death in a vehicle-related accident 10 years ago.

He said Roberts had a drugs problem at the time and added: "He does regret his actions, genuinely so."

Judge Onions, who also disqualified Roberts from driving for four years and ordered him to take an extended test, said: "I think you are a considerable risk to other road users."

By Simon Hardy