The driver of a stolen car which killed a young female police officer in horrific crash in the Waterside area of Derry just under a year ago, was high on a cocktail of drugs and alcohol, a court heard today.
Killed: Constable Philippa Renolds.
Shane Frane (26), whose address was given in court as Magheraberry Prison, pleadad guilty to the manslaughter of Philippa Reynolds on 9 February last year.
The 27-year-old was a back seat passenger in an armoured Vauxhall Vectra police car involved in the collision which occurred at Dale’s Corner and in which two other police officers were injured.
The court heard that after the crash, Frane and Terence Clarence, a front seat passenger in the stolen Toyota Landcruiser, fled the scene and were arrested several hours later at a nearby Simon Community hostel.
Frane admitted causing death by driving the stolen Landcruiser dangerously, driving without insurance, driving while unfit due to drink and drugs, failing to remain at the scene of the accident and failing to report the accident.
Clarence (24), from the Simon Community hostel on Bond’s Hill, admitted allowing himself to be carried in the stolen car, stealing the Landcruiser keys from the Fountain Hill home of the owner of the stolen vehicle and causing criminal damage to another car in a failed attempt to steal it a short time earlier.
Guilty: Shane Frane.
Prosecutor Terence Mooney told the court the pair had spent the day drinking heavily and taking drugs, and stole the car with the intention of driving to Limavady.
Mr Mooney said prior to the fatal crash, Frane was observed on CCTV driving the 4×4 at 80mph in a 30mph zone and through two sets of “red” traffic lights including a set at the junction at which the collision occurred.
The court was told that shortly before the fatal crash, Frane ignored pleas from Clarence to slow down.
Mr Mooney said while Clarence admitted being involved at the first opportunity, Frane initially denied being involved but changed his plea to guilty six weeks later.
The court heard both defendants had previous criminal convictions on both sides of he border and described Frane’s criminal record in the Republic of Ireland as “extensive and significant.”
The court was told that while on remand, Frane had failed two drugs tests and a probation report found there was a “significant risk” he would re-offend.
Eilish McDermott, defence barrister for Frane, told the court the accused was deeply remorseful and had not intended to kill Ms Reynolds.
Ms McDermott told the court that while in prison, Frane had written a letter to the dead officer’s family.
Ms McDermott told the court the accused had not posted the correspondence and would only send it to them if they indicated they would accept it.
The court heard Frane, a member of the travelling community from Limerick, was “abandoned” by his alcoholic parents at the age of two and began taking cannabis from the age of 13.
Adjourning sentencing to 4 February, Judge Philip Babington expressed his condolences to members of the Reynolds family.
The dead officer’s parents, Mervyn and Dorothy, were accompanied at today’s court hearing by daughters Deborah and Nicola.
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