He killed my sister in a crash and has got off scot-free

Sophie Brimble, 20, died at the scene of a collision that occurred during a high-speed race through Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, in July 2017. Her boyfriend, Jay Bayliss, was driving at nearly three times the speed limit when the accident took place. The family of the deceased now voices their outrage over Bayliss continuing to drive despite the incident.

Absolute discharge was granted to Bayliss at Newport Crown Court, meaning no formal punishment was imposed. The court cited the psychological toll of the trial itself as sufficient retribution. However, the family insists this outcome leaves them feeling powerless. “Sophie was in Jay’s car, and he’s still driving around,” said Aimee Coombes, Sophie’s sister. “It doesn’t make sense how he can get away with it.”

“He is a danger. He drives like an absolute idiot,” Coombes added. “I’ve heard multiple people say they saw him speeding, slumped back in his seat, with his car all done up.”

Bayliss was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, but the trial began as a “trial of facts” due to his medical condition. The judge ruled he remained unfit for criminal proceedings, allowing the prosecution to present its case without him participating. A jury at Newport Crown Court concluded he was responsible for Sophie’s death, yet the judge had no option but to issue an absolute discharge.

Following the crash, Gwent Police confirmed the vehicles were traveling at over 80mph on roads with a 30mph limit. This finding has now prompted the police to request the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to revoke Bayliss’ license. The family echoes this call, urging authorities to “take his licence off him.”

Five years prior, Neil Brooks, Bayliss’ friend, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and received an eight-year sentence along with a nine-year driving ban. The current case against Bayliss, however, has highlighted gaps in the legal framework. The Law Commission noted that rules defining “unfitness” for trial date back to 1836, arguing they fail to reflect modern medical assessments of a person’s capacity.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson acknowledged the tragedy, stating: “We understand the distress this case can cause and are already working to reform the law around unfitness to plead.” The agency emphasized that the Crown Prosecution Service has engaged with the DVLA to address the situation.

Despite the legal measures, the family remains deeply affected. “Knowing this is the end of it, he gets to walk away scot-free and live his life as normal,” Coombes reflected. “We have to live with what he has taken from us.”