On Air Now Josh Beaven Live from the Hilton Barbados Resort 7:00pm - Midnight Benson Boone - Beautiful Things Schedule

Woman Who Caused Fatal Forest Road Crash Has Sentence Extended

A woman whose dangerous driving caused the death of one person and life-changing injuries to four others on the Isle of Wight has had her sentence increased.

Yaashmi Ravikumar, from Essex, was jailed following a fatal collision on Forest Road, Newport which killed Island woman, Yvonne Copland, in April 2019.

After failing to see signs indicating that there was a junction ahead, Miss Ravikumar, 20, drove into the junction.

A court decided she did not brake in time and collided with a bus, which in turn veered into an oncoming car. Mrs Copland, 64, from Shide, was killed and three others sustained life-changing injuries. The Southern Vectis bus driver was also seriously injured.

Miss Ravikumar was sentenced to 18 months’ detention in a young offender’s institution on July 13 at Newport Crown Court.

But, following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General on September 4, the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to two years and four months detention in a young offender’s institution.

After the hearing the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said:

"Ravikumar’s driving and lack of attention to road signs caused the death of one person and serious injuries to several others.

"I am pleased the Court of Appeal has increased her sentence to reflect the severity of the impact of her actions."

More from Isle of Wight News