A MAN whose reckless actions while travelling on a Forest A-road led to the death of a 19-year-old woman, has today been sentenced to six years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

Paul Nathan Reddan, 20, of Stafford Close in Broadwell, was convicted following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court.

Matthew Creed, 19 and of Brierley in Drybrook, was found not guilty of the same offence.

Leanne Davies, of Lydbrook, was the passenger in Reddan’s Vauxhall Corsa as they travelled on the A4136 on May 31 last year.

He broke the speed limit and tailgated and overtook another car inappropriately before losing control as he rounded a bend because he was going too fast for the corner.

The car collided with a wall close to the war memorial in Longhope and caught fire before it was extinguished by passers-by and local residents.

Leanne tragically suffered fatal injuries in the collision.

Following the verdict, Leanne's family released the following statement: "We, the family of Leanne Davies, welcome the verdict handed down by the court today.

"We wish to thank the court, Mr Tulley and his team at the CPS, and the police for their meticulous investigation into the truth of what happened that tragic evening.

"Our lives have been on hold since that night, whilst Mr Reddan has been able to carry on with his, showing no remorse whatsoever for his actions.

"We hope that with this trial no over we can start to move on with our lives and focus on our many fond memories of Leanne.

"And finally we would like to thank all of our friends and family for their continued support."

The officer in charge of the case, PC Tim Griffiths, of Tri-Force, said: “It is nearly 18 months since the collision and during that time the family of Leanne Davies have been supported by one of the Constabulary’s Family Liaison Officers.

"Leanne’s family have remained dignified throughout the investigation and court process.

“It has been a long, painstaking investigation which has been reliant on the local community from Longhope and across the Forest of Dean, who have supported us by not only providing statements but by being patient throughout the interim period, and then by attending court this last week.

“During this period my thoughts have remained with the family whilst focused on establishing one thing, what happened to Leanne.

"In the early hours of Saturday, June 1 2013 I left Paul and Heather with our family liaison officer but I remember one thing, a promise that I made to them, on behalf of the investigation team, that we would do our utmost to find out what happened to their daughter.

"This investigation and trial I hope has done just that, and though they will never ever get over the loss of their much loved and well-liked daughter, I hope that in some small way it helps them to move forward in their lives with Leanne’s brothers and to put this terrible tragedy behind them.

“My thoughts and condolences are with all of Leanne’s family and friends at this very difficult time. The investigation team and I take no pleasure in this guilty conviction, as clearly we would prefer never to have had to conduct this investigation into what is clearly a very sad matter.

"It serves as a reminder to us all that cars, particularly when they are driven in such a manner, are killers in the wrong hands and therefore we must all strive to not only continue to improve the way in which we drive every day, but also accept the responsibility that we all have when we take to the road.

"During the course of this trial this young man has not taken responsibility for his actions or the part he played in Leanne’s death.”