Dylan John Pounds receives 15-year prison sentence for causing the deaths of Dean and Charlie Lowe

  • Watch as police read out an extract from Charlie's school diary describing his love for his parents written just a couple of months before his death

A driver who caused the death of a father and son by dangerous driving has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Dylan John Pounds, 29, appeared in Jersey's Royal Court where seven jurats and Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae gave sentencing.

Pounds was also handed a 12-year disqualification from driving.

Pounds was found guilty of causing the death of Dean and Charlie Lowe by dangerous driving following a week-long trial in October.

The pair were killed on La Rue de Fauvic in Grouville after they were struck by Pounds' van on Saturday 5 August 2023.

In his closing statement, Deputy Bailiff MacRae said Pounds had drunk around nine pints of lager prior to the collision, with the States analyst giving evidence that approximated Pounds was twice over the legal limit.

The Deputy Bailiff told the court that Pounds knew he was drunk, made no attempt to avoid Dean and Charlie, ignored the speed limit, and "did not express regret" for his actions prior to the trial.

He adds that it was "difficult" to put into words the "anguish and suffering" caused to the family, and he said Pounds was "wholly responsible".

Dylan Pounds was seen entering Jersey's Royal Court in the early afternoon of Monday 9 December 2024. Credit: ITV Channel

Before sentencing on Monday 9 December, the prosecution read a personal statement from Dean's fiancé and Charlie's mother, Ashleigh le Boutillier.

Ashleigh's statement read: "Nobody can possibly begin to understand how my life has been destroyed by that one night.

"I don’t feel like this is living, it’s surviving, there’s no joy left in my life now.

"The loss and grief are too painful to describe, my boys were my world."

Addressing Pounds, the statement stated: "You are a coward and show no remorse for what you’ve done."

A statement was also read from Kay Lowe - Dean's mum and Charlie's grandmother - stating: "Dean was our only child and Charlie [our] only grandchild.

"They were our lives and all we had, our everything. We were a close loving cuddly family. I’ll never get to hold my Charlie in my arms again.

"I’m 71 years old, the rest of my life will be about survival, we have nothing left to live for."

Ashleigh's personal statement was read by the prosecution to Jersey's Royal Court. Credit: States of Jersey Police

Before sentencing, the prosecution says Pounds acted "incredibly foolish" and his actions resulted in "fatal consequences".

They told Jersey's Royal Court that Pound was impaired because of alcohol, was well in excess of the speed limit, and failed to stop at the scene of the collision.

In calling for a severe sentence, the prosecution listed several aggravating factors including:

  • Multiple fatalities in the incident

  • Significant impairment through alcohol

  • Excessive speed

  • Driving while distracted, attributed to a phone call that was terminated seconds before the crash

  • The victims are vulnerable road users

  • Failure to stop

The prosecution also told the court that Pounds had drug-related messages on his phone, and was involved in street-level dealing.

They add that Pounds was thought to have dealt around seven grams of cocaine and 27 grams of cannabis.

The defence told the court that Pounds was "genuinely remorseful" for his actions.

Dean, 48, and his son Charlie Lowe, 11, were struck by a van driven by Dylan John Pounds on La Rue de Fauvic in Grouville in 2023. Credit: States of Jersey Police

In May 2024, Pounds pled guilty to causing the deaths of Charlie and Dean Lowe and failing to stop and report an accident.

At the time, he denied causing death by dangerous driving and death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

During the trial, Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae ruled that Pounds "substantially exceeded the speed limit" and that "excessive speed and consumption of alcohol easily met the test of dangerous driving".

The two-year investigation and prosecution into the incident was named 'Operation Doric' by the States of Jersey Police.

Following 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."

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