# Mother condemns suspended sentence for soldier who killed Bournemouth teenager

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/my-daughter-has-been-completely-failed-mother-of-teen-crash-victim-hits-out-at-judges-decision-not-to-jail-soldier-who-smashed-speeding-bmw-into-trees-so-he-could-keep-job/
- Published: 2026-10-27T13:04:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T13:23:26+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16242243/My-daughter-completely-failed-Mother-teen-crash-victim-hits-judges-decision-not-jail-soldier-smashed-speeding-BMW-trees-job.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Laionie Kennard died in a speeding crash in 2023.
- Her mother criticises the suspended sentence.
- A coroner will raise concerns about new drivers.

## Summary

Laionie Kennard, 18, died when a BMW driven by Joseph Pickett crashed into trees in Bournemouth in September 2023. Her mother says the justice system failed her daughter because Pickett received a suspended sentence rather than immediate imprisonment, which the court said would have ended his military career.

Pickett admitted causing death by careless driving after taking three friends home; he had drunk cider and was driving at about 50mph in a 30mph area. He was given a 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years, a two-year driving ban and 250 hours of unpaid work. A coroner identified excessive speed as the main cause of death and plans to report concerns about Pickett’s limited driving experience and intensive military driving courses.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.