Jersey's Royal Court has handed Dylan John Pounds a 15 year prison sentence for killing Dean and Charlie Lowe in a hit and run in August 2023.

The 29-year-old also received a 12 year disqualification from driving.

Pounds was found guilty of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving in October following a six-day trial.

He mowed down the 48-year-old father and his 11-year-old son as they walked home along Rue de Fauvic.

The trial of the former apprentice electrician had heard how he had consumed at least nine pints of lager during a day-long drinking session at multiple pubs.

Outside court, DC Alexandra Le Chevalier read out an entry from Charlie's diary:

Senior Investigating Officer Inspector David Turnbull also made this statement on behalf of the force:

“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.”

Senior Investigating Officer Inspector David Turnbull outside the Royal Court

Pounds' trial has heard how the 29 year old started drinking with a friend in the afternoon of the 5 August 2023 at the Union Inn on La Grande Route de St Jean.

He drove his van across the island to the Pembroke pub in Grouville, where he continued his 'drinking session'.

READ: Dylan Pounds guilty of killing Dean and Charlie Lowe by dangerous driving

Dylan John Pounds walking into a police van at the Royal Court

Whilst Pounds and his friend were at the pub playing rounds of pool and drinking, Dean, 48, and Charlie, 11, Lowe joined their family and friends for a birthday celebration at the same venue.

After six further pints, Pounds continued on to the Dolphin pub in Gorey, getting a lift there with people he had met at the Pembroke.

He later left the Dolphin and took a bus, but got off near to the Pembroke at around 9.20pm and got into his work van.

Slightly earlier, the father and son had left the pub to walk home.

The court was shown a shocking video 11-year-old Charlie filmed just moments before he was struck in which he imagined the risk of being 'hit by a drunk driver'.

Father and son, Dean and Charlie Lowe

Whilst the pair were walking along Rue de Fauvic, Pounds started his drive back to town.

At 9:40 pm Dean and Charlie Lowe were hit by the 29-year-old, who did not stop, and continued to drive back to the Inn on the Park car park.

Despite the efforts of first responders and emergency services, the pair suffered 'unsurvivable' injuries after being 'left dead or dying' on the road, the court heard.

The 48-year-old was pronounced dead at 11:15 pm, with his son pronounced dead at 12:01 am.

Ashley with her fiance Dean and son Charlie

Ashley - Dean's fiancé and Charlie's mum - delivered an emotional personal statement in court saying  "nobody can possibly understand" her grief and that she now has "no joy left in my life now."

She continued: "My boys were my world, like I was theirs. Waking up in the morning alone brings me to tears.

"They both had so much more to give this world. Now all I face is a lifetime of missing my beautiful boys."

Kay Lowe, Dean's mum and Charlie's Grandma also made a statement:

"Dean was our only child and Charlie our only grandchild. We really have nothing left to live for."

Chief Officer Robin Smith

Chief Officer, Robin Smith said: 

“Today marks the conclusion of a 2-year investigation and prosecution of Operation Doric, the tragic death of Dean and Charlie Lowe.

"In the weeks and months that followed their deaths, police officers and staff undertook a painstaking and meticulous investigation into how the crash occurred and the movements of the driver over an extended period.

"My thoughts are with those who attended that fateful scene on the night and do their duty, as well as our colleagues in the LOD for prosecuting the case.

"Operation Doric (the name of the case) will remain long in the memory for all those involved in delivering justice for Dean, Charlie their family and friends.”