Man caused death of ‘beautiful shining star’ in road race crash

A MAN caused the death of a "beautiful shining star" when he engaged in a road race with another driver on a street in a Welsh town, a court heard.

- ROBERTS HARRIES Reporter

Sophie Brimble

Sophie Brimble, from Crickhowell, died at the scene of a collision on King Street in Brynmawr almost nine years ago. She was 20 years old.

She was travelling in a car driven by Jay Bayliss, now aged 32, who was involved in a race with Neil Brooks at the time of the crash, which happened during the early hours of July 26, 2017.

Brooks was jailed in September 2019 for eight years and disqualified from driving for five years following his release from prison.

Bayliss, of Heol Onen, Brynmawr, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to the “life-changing injuries” he sustained in the crash. However, he was eventually charged with causing death by dangerous driving in 2024.

During a trial at Newport Crown Court this week, a jury heard that Ms Brimble was a front seat passenger in a black Volkswagen Polo driven by Bayliss when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a lamp post.

The court heard how Bayliss became involved in an “impromptu” race with Brooks, who was the driver of another car. A forensic collision investigator said Bayliss was travelling close to 90mph moments before he lost control of the vehicle.