"Justice stinks" - mum's words after son's killer jailed for just three years

THE heartbroken mum of a teenager killed by a reckless driver has hit out at the three-year sentence given to his killer, saying: “Justice stinks!”
Josh TylerJosh Tyler
Josh Tyler

Julie Henley-Smith sat in court as Tobias Shelton admitted causing the death of her 16-year-old son Josh Tyler (pictured) by dangerous driving.

Aston Academy student Josh was killed when the moped he was riding was in collision with Shelton’s car on Mansfield Road, Swallownest, on April 17, 2015 - just yards from his home.

Shelton (20), of Rosegarth Avenue, Aston, was jailed for three years but will be eligible for release after 18 months.

He was also banned from driving for four years and six months at Sheffield Crown Court on March 10.

Afterwards, Miss Henley-Smith said: “As far as I am concerned, justice stinks.

“I always say you know when it’s an accident and I know he didn’t go out to kill anybody, but he made a bad decision on a blind junction - so it should be life for life.

“He could be out getting married, having babies and doing all the things that Josh should have been doing.

“Josh hasn’t had an ounce of justice out of this. 

“In 18 months, he (Shelton) will be out if he behaves.

“We know nothing will bring Josh back, but Shelton may as well be left walking the streets.”

Shelton was originally due to stand trial in June after pleading not guilty to causing Josh’s death at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court in November.

But he appeared back in court two weeks ago to change his plea and be sentenced.

Miss Henley-Smith said: “I still can’t accept that it’s happened some days. 

“There will never be closure, not in a million years, and more so now because I know Shelton can still enjoy his life.

“Josh never got to celebrate his 18th birthday but Shelton will get to enjoy his life - it’s not right.”

Josh’s sister Jodie Tyler (22) now works with mum Miss Henley-Smith in Josh’s Rolls, the cafe the devoted mum set up in his memory.

She said she was “shocked” by the sentence but added: “None would have ever been enough.

“We are shocked that he will probably only spend 18 months behind bars for killing somebody.

“The cafe does help us keep on our feet but it will never change how we feel.”

After the hearing, Sgt Donna Roden, from the serious collisions unit, said: “This was a tragic case that sent shockwaves through the community, where 16-year-old Josh Tyler was well known and highly thought-of. 

“He was a teenage boy with his whole life ahead of him and Tobias Shelton’s thoughtless and reckless behaviour cost Josh his life. 

“Even though Shelton is now behind bars for his crime, this will be of little comfort to Josh’s family who will feel his loss for the rest of their lives.”

Jack Kushner, spokesman for road safety charity Brake, called for tougher sentences for drivers who kill.

He said: “This is an awful case, and our hearts go out to the family of Josh Tyler. 

“Shockingly lenient sentences like this are an insult to bereaved families and show the inadequacy of our current criminal driving laws.”

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