‘I am devastated’ – mother says ten-year sentence for driver who killed her son is too lenient

A bereaved mother has said she believes the ten-year sentence for the driver who hit and killed her son and then fled the scene is “far too lenient”.

“Gentle giant” Phillip Bruce died when his moped was struck by a car which was being pursued by police at the time.

The driver of the car, who was uninsured, drove off after the collision on London Road in Ware and ran away after he later crashed.

Phillip’s mother, Jennifer Dover, has spoken of her devastation at the 10-year sentence he was given.

“Ten years isn’t long enough, he probably won’t serve the full sentence either. He killed my son and left him there in the road, and he shouldn’t even have been driving as he didn’t have insurance,” says Jennifer, from Braughing.

“This isn’t long enough and I just can’t feel that justice has been served. Ten years for killing someone and driving off, not caring what had happened, is not something I can ever accept. I am absolutely devastated to have lost Phillip, and especially in the manner it happened. We will never recover from this.”

Phillip, 34, was an adored son and brother who lived with learning disabilities, and had two jobs and enjoyed an independent life. Phillip worked in the kitchen of a local care home, as well as delivering pizzas on an evening, and was engaged to be married to his childhood sweetheart, Jenna March.

He was also a proud member of Always Bee You, a charity that enables adults with learning disabilities to socialise, gain work opportunities and learn life skills.

“Phil was so hardworking, he worked his butt off and was really proud of himself for doing so. I am so proud of everything he achieved,” says Jennifer, who is awaiting counselling to help with her grief.

“He loved his job as a kitchen assistant – the last time I saw him was when he was going to work and he was so happy. He loved the independence his moped gave him, he couldn’t have a car because of his learning disabilities, but he never let anything hold him back.

“He loved the Always Bee You crowd, he would go and do karaoke and all kinds of things with them – Coldplay was a favourite for him to sing. There were so many happy times with Phil, he would light up any room he was in. It’s just devastating that he isn’t here anymore.”

Jennifer is being supported by serious injury specialists at law firm Slater and Gordon.

“Phillip was clearly a much-loved man who loved life, and his loss has devastated his whole community. Jennifer, understandably, is utterly distraught and wants to feel justice has been served for her precious son,” says Vanessa Foxley, a serious injury specialist at Slater and Gordon.

“We will support her and Phillip’s family in every way we can in helping them to move forward.”