Parents of Courtney Ellis read heart-breaking tributes

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Brandon Turton had embarked upon a “persistent and prolonged” period of dangerous driving when he hit Haydock High pupil Courtney Ellis on Blackbrook Road on the night of September 19, 2020.

READ MORE > Man who killed 14-year-old girl after driving at 'grossly excessive speed' jailed

During the sentencing hearing prosecuting barrister Ben Jones, told the court that the collision took place at 9.50pm on Blackbrook Road, near to a bus shelter close to the Ship Inn.

The court heard Turton, who was then 19, had been driving a Renault Megane at between 73 and 93 mph at the time he hit Courtney, who was killed instantly.

Turton's car had been racing against another vehicle earlier that evening in the lead-up to the crash, the court heard.

Passing sentence, judge David Potter said Turton had driven at “grossly excessive speed” and made “a deliberate decision to ignore, or a flagrant disregard, for the rules of the road”.

The judge said Turton, now 21, showed “a persistent, prolonged and deliberate” case of “very bad driving at grossly excessive speed”.

Courtney’s parents read “moving” victim personal statements to the court.

Floral tributes to Courtney left on Blackbrook Road after her death (Image: Newsquest)

Dad Colin Ellis said how Courtney “wanted to be a midwife and had a kind caring nature. Courtney never got the chance to follow her dream”.

He added that his life “was shattered” by the death of his daughter. He said: “Every single day is painful” and “no amount of time can heal that”.

Meanwhile, Courtney’s mum, Angela Burke said: “That night that he killed my daughter was the most horrific experience I have ever had to go through. It’s a nightmare having to see your lifeless child’s body”.

She described how she remembered seeing the crash scene that evening, unaware of what had happened to her daughter.

She said “it was clear something serious had happened, my first thought was there had been a bad accident. I remember thinking that looks bad, I felt sorry for the people involved. I didn’t know it was my own child lying in the road”.

Angela said; “Whenever I hear sirens I am taken back to that night, I have to relive it like it happened yesterday”.

She added: “I have been unable to grieve properly because the pain is just too unbearable”, adding “I have to try to care for my other three children. If it wasn’t for them, I truly believe I wouldn’t be here now”.

Angela also said how “I will never see her (Courtney) get married and have children of her own. She loved children so much.”

Turton, of Borron Road, Newton-le-Willows, was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment.