A driver who killed her teenage boyfriend while filming him hanging out of a car window has had her jail sentence increased by 18 months. Mia Howarth, 21, was driving and recording 17-year-old Alfie Lovett as he sat on the frame of the open car window. The Court of Appeal heard that Howarth's original three-year sentence was unduly lenient.
On Friday, judges increased her sentence to four and a half years. Howarth, who was 18 at the time of the incident on September 12, 2023, was driving a Peugeot 107 on a rural, single-carriageway North Yorkshire road. She was with three 17-year-old male passengers and playing loud music.
The vehicle was traveling at 35 mph when Howarth lost control, veered onto a grass verge, and collided with a dry-stone wall. Alfie Lovett, who was on the car's frame and being filmed for Snapchat, became trapped between the wall and the vehicle. He died at the scene, despite efforts by passers-by to perform CPR.
Howarth pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at York Crown Court in March. The Attorney General's office argued that the initial sentence was insufficient as both a punishment and a deterrent.
Lord Justice Popplewell, along with Mr. Justice Linden and Mrs. Justice Hill, stated that the sentencing judge erred by reducing the sentence due to poor prison conditions and by giving too much consideration to Howarth's age.
"We agree the judge fell into error in the way he applied a reduction for youth," Lord Justice Popplewell said.
He also noted that the delay in charging Howarth offered limited mitigation. During the appeal hearing, Kelly Brocklehurst, representing the Attorney General, emphasized the need for a sentence that punishes the offender and deters future crimes, despite acknowledging mitigating factors.
Glenn Parsons, representing Howarth, described the case as a profound tragedy and stated that Howarth's grief was overwhelming. He mentioned that Howarth was close to the Lovett family and had been a positive influence on Alfie, who had become a father 12 weeks prior to his death.
Parsons also argued that the delay in charging Howarth was unacceptable, as she had admitted responsibility at the roadside. Court documents indicated that Howarth had instructed the male passengers to wear seatbelts and stated it would be her fault if they did not.
The group had been traveling to Brimham Rocks, a National Trust site. Howarth appeared in court via video link from HMP Low Newton and was reportedly sobbing during the hearing.