Driver jailed after passenger killed in Southampton crash

A Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Finley Lintott-Warrillow is thought to have been travelling at between 57mph and 72mph when it left a trail of destruction in a narrow residential road.

The vehicle ploughed into several parked cars, also resulting in extensive damage to neighbouring gardens and at least one of the homes.

At one point the Corsa took off, flying at least 15 metres through the air and landing on other vehicles. It came to rest the right way up, but its engine fell out and the battery struck a nearby house.

Seconds earlier, the Corsa had hurtled past a nearby pub at almost 90mph, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Brandon Cousens, 18, of Defender Road, Southampton, was killed in the crash (Image: Shana Green)

Householders heard the crash and rushed out to help, but front seat passenger Brandon Cousens, 18, of Defender Road in Southampton, was dead.

It happened at Middle Road in Sholing just before 1am on Sunday, March 5 2023.

Siobhin Linsley, prosecuting, said Middle Road was only 6.5m wide, with cars parked on both sides of the street.

She told the court: "Residents heard an engine revving followed by loud bangs, which someone likened to the sound of a bomb or explosions.

"They went out to assist and were shocked by the scene that greeted them - damage caused to multiple properties and multiple cars.

"Brandon suffered a catastrophic injury and died before residents reached the car to render first aid."

The crash caused extensive damage to several front gardens and at least one of the houses (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Linsley said Lintott-Warrillow was heard to say: "Look what I've done to my friend. I've killed my friend."

The defendant was questioned by police at the scene and estimated his speed to have been 60-65mph. Asked why he was driving so fast he replied: "Because I'm an idiot. I hate myself."

Lintott-Warrillow, 21, of North East Road in Southampton, suffered a ruptured spleen in the crash and spent five days in hospital.

Ms Linsley said the Corsa mounted the pavement, crossed someone's front garden, and collided with a brick wall. It then struck a Ford parked on the owner's driveway, causing it to collide with a builders' skip, which was shunted into a front window.

Describing the accident as inevitable, she said: "It was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road and disregard the dangers."

Police appealed for witnesses after the crash, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, March 5 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

In a victim impact statement, Brandon's family said: "Brandon was a kind, caring and loving child who was always laughing and smiling, living his life how he wanted to right up to the moment he took his last breath.

"Brandon’s passing has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.

"We have to continue living and adapting to a new normal without him, knowing that due to a reckless decision that night Brandon was killed.

"We will never get the chance to see him grow into a man, celebrate his 21st birthday, future birthdays, get married, have children and watch him live out all the dreams and life experiences he wanted in life."

The crash caused extensive damage to several front gardens and at least one of the houses (Image: Newsquest)

Lintott-Warrillow was only 19 at the time and had passed his driving test just three months earlier.

Rebecca Upton, mitigating, said: "The offence was due to his inexperience. He was not impaired and was not over the prescribed limit."

Ms Upton said the defendant had expressed "genuine and heartfelt remorse" over the death of his closest friend.

When he was in hospital he was visited by a psychiatrist following fears over his "low mood and despondency".

Lintott-Warrillow, who had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, was jailed for six years and eight months and was banned from driving for eight years and four months.

Judge Nigel Peters KC told him: "You were driving at speeds more akin to a racetrack than a residential road.

"You were an inexperienced driver negotiating a difficult road and mayhem happened. You were driving so fast that when you hit other vehicles you took off."