Driver jailed for 15 years for causing Dean and Charlie Lowe deaths

Monday 09 December 2024

A van driver who killed a father and his 11-year-old son in a hit-and-run collision last year has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Dylan John Pounds (29) was found guilty of causing the deaths of Dean and Charlie Lowe by dangerous driving following a week-long Royal Court trial in October.

Mr Lowe (48) and his son Charlie died on Rue de Fauvic in Grouville on 5 August 2023.

Delivering the court’s sentence, Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae said to Pounds: “You knew you were unfit to drive and you chose to do so.

“It is difficult for us to put into words the anguish and suffering from the deaths, for which you are wholly responsible.”

Pictured: Dylan Pounds was found guilty of causing the deaths of Dean and Charlie Lowe by dangerous driving earlier this year.

Following the sentencing, Inspector David Turnbull, Lead Investigating Officer, said: “Dylan Pounds’ selfish actions have had grave consequences – on Dean and Charlie’s family and friends, on our community, and on himself.

"Drinking and driving should never go hand in hand. The risks are simply not worth it. 

"This investigation has been very challenging and thorough. Officers worked extremely hard and closely with the Law Officers Department to put strong evidence before the court and I want to thank them for their work.  

"Our thoughts will always be with the family and friends of Dean and Charlie Lowe.”

Chief Officer Robin Smith praised all of those involved in Operation Doric – the investigation into the crash.

He said: “Today marks the conclusion of a two-year investigation and prosecution of Operation Doric, the tragic death of Dean and Charlie Lowe.

"In the weeks and months that followed their deaths, police officers and staff undertook a painstaking and meticulous investigation into how the crash occurred and the movements of the driver over an extended period. 

"My thoughts are with those who attended that fateful scene on the night and did their duty, as well as our colleagues in the Law Officers Department for prosecuting the case.

"Operation Doric will remain long in the memory for all those involved in delivering justice for Dean, Charlie, their family and friends.”

Pictured: Dean and Charlie Lowe died on Rue de Fauvic in Grouville on 5 August 2023.

On the first day of Pounds' trial in October, the court was shown footage of Charlie Lowe warning his father "imagine being hit by a drunk driver" just minutes before their deaths.

On the second day, the Royal Court heard from people who had seen Pounds before the incident. An eyewitness shared how he was "jovial", "jokey" and "very drunk" on the dancefloor in a pub just before the collision, and was "sloshing" a pint of beer around.

On the third day, a forensic pathologist and the woman who found the father and son, Amanda Fairnie, gave evidence.

She sobbed as she recalled finding Charlie lying facedown, and trying to check if he was breathing – but he did not respond in any way. Ms Fairnie said she then noticed Mr Lowe’s body, lying in a similar position, a little further up the road. He was also unresponsive.

Meanwhile, the forensic pathologist explained how the injuries suffered by both were not survivable.

The team defending Pounds did not call any witnesses to give evidence during the trial.

In his closing speech, Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit, prosecuting, said: “There is a plethora of failings on the part of the driver that take this well beyond carelessness and well into dangerousness.”

The Lowe family had been attending a birthday party that evening and Advocate Maletroit said: “Little did they know that it was the last occasion they would ever spend together as a family.”