Car thieves jailed for crash that killed teenage passenger
Two car thieves high on drink and drugs have been jailed for their roles in the death of a popular teenager.
Sakhawat Ali was twice the drink drive limit and had taken cocaine as well as smoked cannabis before he crashed his uncle's car killing passenger and aspiring beautician Xana Doyle, 19.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the 23-year-old defendant, who admitted to "showing off" while behind the wheel, was distracted moments before the 60mph crash after his drugged-up cousin Shabaz Ali, 21, attempted to pull the handbrake from the rear passenger seat as a joke.
The stolen Toyota Avensis then hit the kerb before going 10 feet in the air as if it had "hit a stunt ramp" before flipping on its roof.
More: Victim of Newport crash named as Xana Doyle
Both Alis managed to crawl out of crumpled wreckage - while a screaming 15-year-old girl in the front seat and a fatally injured Ms Doyle in the back were trapped inside.
The pair then told "lie after lie" to police arriving at the scene - even claiming they were walking down the street when the crash happened.
And although the two cousins would later plead guilty - they continued to point the finger at one another.
Their attempts to downplay their involvement prompted a three day "Newton hearing" to establish key facts in the case.
Following three hours of legal arguments, Judge Neil Bidder QC said he was completely satisfied both men were jointly responsible for the fatal crash.
He said the accident had been caused by drink, drugs, excessive speed as well as the behaviour of the youngest defendant.
Sakhawat Ali - who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking driving with excess alcohol - was handed an eight years and three months prison sentence.
Shabaz Ali - who pleaded guilty to aggravated allowing to be carried in a vehicle involving a fatal accident - was jailed for seven years and three months.
The sentences were greeted with shouts of "yes" from a packed public gallery.