The mother of an 18-year-old woman killed in a crash has said her daughter was “completely failed” after the soldier responsible avoided immediate custody and was allowed to keep his military career.
Laionie Kennard died at the scene in Bournemouth, Dorset, in September 2023 when a BMW 1 Series left the road and struck trees. Joseph Pickett, who was also 18 at the time, admitted causing her death while driving at around 50mph in a 30mph zone.
Pickett was given a 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years at Poole Magistrates’ Court. He was also disqualified from driving for two years, ordered to pay £232 in costs and told to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.
His sentence was not suspended because of doubts over the seriousness of the crash, but because a prison term would have resulted in his dismissal from the Army.
Laionie’s mother, Kelly Kennard, 41, said: “I feel my daughter has been completely failed.
“I feel so angry that my daughter lost her life and yet the man driving the car didn’t receive a prison sentence.”
An inquest heard that the BMW had been travelling at between 47mph and 58mph when it left the road. Pickett had consumed up to a bottle of Henry Weston’s cider before driving and failed a roadside breath test after the collision.
Laionie had messaged her mother about Pickett’s driving around 30 minutes before the crash. She suffered serious head injuries and died at the scene.
Pickett had been taking three friends home after a trip to McDonald’s. He suffered minor injuries, as did his girlfriend Edy Herridge and friend William Green, both also aged 18.
Mrs Kennard said a video recorded inside the car shortly before the collision showed another passenger swearing about their speed. She said the speedometer could be seen pointing at 12 o’clock, which she described as indicating 80mph, although the footage was blurry.
“The driver, Joe Pickett, argued it was wrong,” she said.
Pickett had bought the BMW less than three weeks before the crash and had recently passed an intensive Army driving course. Dorset Coroner Brendan Allen said he had limited experience driving at night, on rural roads and in a vehicle of that power.
Mr Allen said he would issue a prevention of future deaths report. He is expected to raise the issue of graduated driving licences with the Department for Transport and concerns over intensive driving courses with the Ministry of Defence.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with Laionie’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.”
The spokesman added that service personnel who commit offences are dealt with through the disciplinary process, but said the Ministry would not comment on Pickett’s individual circumstances.
