'Rest in peace Charlie, our beautiful son'

Bereaved parents hope crash tragedy will be a deterrent to teenagers

THE bereaved parents of a boy killed in a joy ride tragedy have said they hope his death will make other youngsters think twice in similar circumstances.

Charlie Townsend, a pupil at Park House School in Newbury, was aged just 15 when he trusted his life to an older friend by accepting a lift home last August 4.

But the unqualified driver, who can not be identified for legal reasons, had taken the car without permission and was driving illegally. Last Thursday, April 23, he was locked up by a crown court judge.

In a statement sent exclusively to this newspaper, Charlie’s parents Georgina and Tony said yesterday: “We’re relieved that the case is concluded but no prosecution could ever remedy the pain felt by Charlie’s family and friends.

“We hope that the sentencing will act as a deterrent and young people will now check that the person they are trusting to drive them is legally and competently able to do so.

“Our priority now is to move past the damage that has been caused and support each other and particularly our children.”

They added: “We have been shocked by the lack of assistance for bereaved parents from statutory services, although we would like to thank Park House School for their continued support.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank family and friends for their strength, compassion and empathy – rest in peace Charlie, our beautiful son.”

Charlie had just completed his GCSE exams at Park House School when the tragedy happened.

The events of that August night, and the fateful decision taken by the older boy to drive, culminated in a heart-rending case at Reading Crown Court last week.

The driver, who is now 17 years old, had taken his mother’s car without permission and drove Charlie, his identical twin Ben and another friend, Elliot Brincat, at excessive speed at 4am along Wheatlands Lane in Enborne before losing control and ploughing into a tree.

Despite desperate efforts to revive him, Charlie died at the scene from head injuries.

Charlie’s family, huddled closely for mutual support, listened as the events which robbed them of their loved one were recounted by a barrister.

Their harrowing victim impact statements were then read to the hushed courtroom,

Charlie’s identical twin, Ben, said: “Going to see him in the mortuary was the most unbearable pain I have ever experienced. Charlie was my identical twin, my best friend and soulmate... half of me died with him.”

Charlie’s 14-year-old sister Imogen said in her court statement: “Charlie’s death was so sudden and unexpected I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. I miss my big brother with all my heart.”

Mrs Townsend told the judge, in a statement on her behalf and that of her husband: “No words can describe how precious Charlie was as a son. He was born six weeks premature – he couldn’t wait for life to start.”

The bond between Charlie and Ben was “so strong, we can’t comprehend – they finished each other’s sentences and instinctively knew each other’s needs”.

Mrs Townsend said Charlie “had the ability to make people feel better about themselves and that gift shone through in all the cards and tributes we received”.

She recalled how her son had befriended a boy with special needs who other youths tended to ignore and said Charlie’s loss was “a lead weight in our chests we carry round each day”.

Sentencing the driver to 32 months’ youth custody, Judge John Reddihough said: “This case is an utter tragedy. By your completely foolhardy and dangerous actions you have snuffed out the life of a 15-year-old boy, leaving his twin brother, sister and parents completely devastated.”

See this week's Newbury Weekly News for a full report of the court case, plus background and tributes.