A grieving mother has voiced her profound outrage and described the justice system as having "failed completely" after the driver who fatally mowed down her teenage daughter at a pedestrian crossing walked free from prison after serving a mere six months.
Family's Anguish Over Early Release
Keely Morgan, a vibrant 15-year-old who had bravely overcome chronic kidney disease and received a transplant in 2021, was walking home from a friend's house on the evening of May 1, 2023, when her life was tragically cut short. Christopher West, 42, struck Keely on a zebra crossing in the Caerau area of Cardiff. She died at the scene.
West was subsequently jailed for 16 months last July after admitting causing death by careless driving and causing death by driving while uninsured. However, Keely's family have now learned he has been released after serving just over six months of his sentence.
Changes to Early Release Rules
This early release follows a change in policy by the Labour government in September 2024. The new rules allow eligible prisoners to serve 40 per cent of their sentence before being freed, reduced from the previous 50 per cent threshold. It is important to note that inmates serving sentences for serious sexual, violent, and terror offences are excluded from this scheme.
For Keely's mother, Sian Morgan, this policy shift has delivered a devastating blow. "He's out after barely six months for killing my beautiful 15-year-old daughter," she said. "He has shown absolutely no remorse. He's a heartless piece of work and has told lie after lie. He may have served time, but he hasn't had to face a grieving mother without a screen protecting him."
Details of the Fatal Incident
The court heard disturbing details about West's actions prior to the collision. He had been driving at speeds between 38mph and 42mph in a 30mph zone. Furthermore, he had removed a black box from his car following previous speeding offences, a move that voided his insurance.
Passengers in his vehicle reported that West had been "showing off" and "snaking" the car from side to side moments before the crash. CCTV footage confirmed that Keely was clearly visible on the crossing and was almost off it when she was struck.
"It would not have happened if he wasn't speeding," Ms Morgan stated emphatically. "Let that sink in."
A Life Full of Promise Cut Short
Ms Morgan painted a picture of a daughter who was finally embracing life after her health struggles. "She was excited to live," she recalled. "She had plans, friends, dreams - like every teenage girl. All of that was taken away from her."
She also accused West of deceptive behaviour during the investigation, alleging he lied repeatedly and even attempted to manipulate his own children into covering for him. "What kind of man does that?" she asked. "There was no remorse. Even the judge said he showed none during the two-year investigation."
Courtroom Outrage and Campaign for Change
During sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Paul Hobson described West as an "irresponsible show-off", noting that while he appeared sorry, much of his concern was for himself. The judge told West he should have seen Keely and stopped to allow her to cross safely.
The original 16-month sentence was met with shouts of "disgusting" from the public gallery, with members of Keely's family walking out in protest. West was also banned from driving for two years and eight months.
Ms Morgan's pain has been compounded by seeing reports of drug dealers receiving longer sentences. "They haven't killed anyone. Make it make sense," she said. "'Broken' is an understatement and doesn't even begin to cover what Christopher West has done to our family."
Determined to seek change, Sian Morgan has launched a petition calling for tougher sentences to be imposed on dangerous drivers. "The law needs toughening up so victims can get justice," she asserted, campaigning to ensure other families do not endure the same heartbreak and perceived failure of the legal system.
