'I feel broken': Family of teenage hit-and-run victim reveal pain as internet troll is jailed
The family of a teenage hit-and-run victim who were trolled for "entertainment" have told of the "devastating" impact the ordeal has had.
Dylan Price's sisters Izzy and Livvy along with stepdad Steve Bristow watched on at Telford Justice Centre and David Brown was jailed for 15 months.
Dylan died the day before his 18th birthday on September 19, 2021 after being hit by a vehicle on the B4385 Brampton Road, Bishop's Castle.
As they searched for answers, Brown's "cruel and disgusting" messages to Mr Bristow and Dylan's terminally ill mum Louise gave them false hope that the young rugby player's killer may finally be brought to justice.
The 61-year-old internet troll of Oak Meadow, Bishop's Castle, claimed to be the killer under the false name "John Thomas" on social media, continuing a chat for several days because he was "sick of seeing Dylan, Dylan, Dylan all over Facebook".
In a victim impact statement at court, Mr Bristow said: "The death of Dylan has has a devastating impact on the family. What is worse is not what happened and who is responsible.
"Those disgusting messages added to our pain and misery.
"We don't know who to trust and what to believe anymore. The affect it has had on (Louise) has been awful to watch."
Mrs Bristow said in her statement: "I feel broken. The stress of it all has had a massive impact on my health.
"We were just starting to process what happened. The thought of someone hurting Dylan on purpose was giving me sleepless nights.
"Going back to Bishop's Castle is very difficult for me and Steve. I feel like everyone is looking at us and talking about us. I feel like someone knows something."
After the hearing, Dylan's sister Izzy said the sentence brought some closure, however it is still tough for the family knowing Dylan's killer is still out there.
"We've received a good outcome today," she said. "I think he has got the sentencing we were all hoping for really. I think the judge has been able to see the severity of it all and what we've had to go through.
"What he (Brown) has done has added so much hurt, but it doesn't take away the fact that someone is still out there, knowing what they have done."
Mr Bristow added: "It's dragged on for two years. Today feels like a little bit of stress has been lifted. I don't think he (Brown) has seen the affects it has had not just on us but on his own family. We can carry on grieving now without him hanging over us."
Anyone who has information on what happened to Dylan is urged to contact West Mercia Police on 101.