BMW driver jailed after 'reckless' stunt killed teenage girl

BMW driver, 24, who was ‘showing off by driving up to 60mph around a bend moments before smashing into a tree’ and killing a teenage girl is jailed for two years and eight months

  • Callum Hone, 24, from Surrey, was jailed yesterday at Guildford Crown Court
  • He pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving after a ‘reckless’ stunt in 2020
  • Leanne Taylor, 17, was a passenger in the BMW when it overturned and hit a tree

A BMW driver, who ‘showed off’ by driving up to 60mph around a bend before smashing into a tree and killing a teenage girl has been jailed for two years and eight months.  

Callum Hone, 24, from Woodmansterne, Surrey, appeared at Guildford Crown Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty for death by dangerous driving. 

Leanne Taylor, 17, a passenger in the back seat of the car, was killed in the collision at Tupwood Scrubbs Road in Caterham in February 2020. 

Leanne’s family today paid tribute to their ‘one of a kind’ daughter who had a ‘massive individual personality’.  

Hone picked Leanne and another friend up in his BMW 320 on the evening of February 1, before they joined another group of friends at Caterham Viewpoint. 

Callum Hone, 24, from Woodmansterne in Surrey appeared at Guildford Crown Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty for death by dangerous driving


Leanne Taylor, 17, a passenger in the back seat of the car, was killed in the collision at Tupwood Scrubbs Road in Caterham in February 2020

He drove around a left-hand bend at a speed of ‘up to 60mph’ before colliding with a tree – causing the vehicle to overturn a number of times and land on its roof. 

Leanne’s body was recovered from under the BMW and she was taken to hospital, where she died five days later from ‘catastrophic’ injuries.

Hone was sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars and has also been disqualified from driving for five years. 

Describing Leanne as ‘definitely one of a kind with a massive individual personality’, her family said today that Leanne’s ‘lasting legacy is giving a gift of life to four people’.

Her mother, Mary Allison, said: ‘Over the last two years and nine months, we as a family have waited for justice for our Leanne.

‘How I wish my Leanne was alive and had the chance to live life to the full, it’s heartbreaking.

‘We would like to thank all the emergency services who were there on the night, to the staff at St George’s treating our Leanne with dignity and respect.

‘A massive thank you to the team from the Surrey and Sussex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit for all the work they have done to build this case, for justice for our Leanne. A big thank you to our family liaison officer and all involved.’

Hone drove around a left-hand bend at a speed of ‘up to 60mph’ before colliding with a tree – causing the vehicle to overturn a number of times and land on its roof

On sentencing, Judge Black said: ‘I have no doubt you were showing off to your friend. You were fully aware of the risk driving the way that you did with at least one passenger unrestrained within the car’

Investigating Officer, Lauren Upton, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Our thoughts are with Leanne’s family and friends following her tragic and senseless death. I would like to thank Leanne’s family for their patience and dignity throughout this investigation. 

‘Hone was estimated to have been driving at a speed of between 55 and 60mph at the time of the crash, a speed that was unsuitable for the road conditions. 

‘Leanne’s death is a stark reminder of why all young drivers should think twice before they risk the lives of themselves and others by putting their foot down on the accelerator to show off and try to impress their friends. 

‘Sadly, this case is an example of the devastating consequences Hone’s reckless and irresponsible actions can have. Speed kills – it is simply not worth the risk. 

‘We will continue to investigate serious collisions and bring to justice those who compromise the safety of themselves and others on our roads in Surrey.’ 

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