Woman walks free over crash that killed boyfriend (From Gazette)

Woman walks free over crash that killed boyfriend

2:30pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News

A WOMAN has walked free from a court for killing her boyfriend in a death crash.

Former dental nurse Jayme Mann was told by a judge a combination of her drivng inexperience and a “momentary lack of attention” had claimed the life of her passenger.

Lee Dipino, 20, of Summerfields, Sible Hedingham, died after Mann’s Renault Clio went out of control and hit a tree near Sible Hedingham on May 8, 2010.

Mann, formerly of Braintree, denied but was convicted of causing death by careless driving after a trial last month.

Judge David Turner QC told Mann, 21, of Butlers Way, Great Yeldham, it was a tragic case which had brought dreadful circumstances to everyone involved.

He said: “Drink and drugs were not involved, you were not messing around with your mobile or the radio and you were not any sort of girl racer.

“It was a momentary lack of attention.”

She was given 12 months' supervision, a 240-hour unpaid work order, banned from driving for two years and told to take an extended driving test.

A statement from Mr Dipino’s sister Keeley said the family had been left devastated by what had happened. The trial heard Mr Dipino was a front seat passenger and died at the scene near Kentish Farm, Delvin End.

Mann had been told by the judge she would have to meet the £4,200 costs of the trial.

But barrister Diane Pigot said Mann and her family did not have any money and she had lost her job as a dental nurse since her conviction.

Miss Pigot added: “She is full of remorse over what took place. “Her tears have not been for herself – she killed a loved one.”