Driver jailed for 15 years after fatal hit-and-run in Jersey

Dylan John Pounds, 29, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty in October by Jersey’s Royal Court of causing the deaths of Dean and Charlie Lowe by dangerous driving. The incident involved a hit-and-run in Jersey that resulted in the fatalities of a father and his 11-year-old son. Dean and Charlie Lowe were walking along La Rue de Fauvic in Grouville on 5 August 2023 when Pounds’ van fatally struck them. Pounds received a 12-year driving ban in addition to his sentence for seven offences. During the trial, evidence revealed that Pounds had consumed alcohol at multiple pubs in Jersey before driving. He was also found to be in possession of cocaine and cannabis and was driving at 44mph (70km/h), exceeding the speed limit by 14mph (22km/h). Furthermore, he made a phone call while driving just minutes prior to the collision. Ashleigh Le Boutillier, Dean Lowe’s partner and Charlie’s mother, issued a statement saying: “Nobody can begin to understand how my life has been destroyed,” adding, “I struggle to put one foot in front of the other. There is no joy in my life now.” She continued, “My boys were my world. Now I come home to silence. My heart aches that I will never see their faces again.” A statement was also presented on behalf of Kaye Lowe, who is Dean’s mother and Charlie’s grandmother. She stated: “I will never get to hold my Charlie in my arms again. I will never celebrate anything again. The rest of my life will be about survival. I have nothing left to live for.” Following the sentencing, Det Con Alex Le Chevalier, a family liaison officer, read an excerpt from Charlie Lowe’s school diary. This diary entry was read at the family’s request and had been written in June 2023, two months before the deaths of Charlie and his father. Charlie’s entry stated: “The most inspirational person to me is my dad. Your dad teaches you through your life. Yes, they may shout at you but they’re just trying to get you through life. Fathers will protect, no matter what the cost. “Also, the most inspirational person is my mum, they can talk to you when times are hard. Anyway, my dad is funny, kind and hard working. What if your dad got taken away? You would not like it.” Insp David Turnbull, the lead investigating officer for the States of Jersey Police, commented: “Dylan Pounds’ selfish actions have had grave consequences – on Dean and Charlie’s family and friends, on our community, and on himself.” He added, “Drinking and driving should never go hand in hand. The risks are simply not worth it.” Turnbull further stated: “This investigation has been very challenging and thorough. Officers worked extremely hard and closely with the Law Officers Department to put strong evidence before the court and I want to thank them for their work.” He concluded, “Our thoughts will always be with the family and friends of Dean and Charlie Lowe.” Constable Marcus Troy, the family’s parish leader, remarked: “Together with a lot of people, I was incredibly upset. I’m upset talking about it now and I was very, very angry. “But to see an individual with such a future and a child with such a future because he was obviously very popular at school, disappear, was absolutely devastating.” Mr Troy mentioned that discussions had taken place with the family regarding a proposal to “put something across the green” as a tribute to the father and son. Matt Tabb, a colleague of Mr Lowe at the Jersey Employment Trust, stated that Mr Lowe’s death profoundly impacted his co-workers. Tabb explained: “They’ve had to rearrange the office. His desk is no longer where his desk was.” He added, “A few of them could no longer come in for a while because the idea of seeing his desk empty was just a reminder of what had happened which was challenging for them to deal with.”