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At Warwick Crown Court, it was revealed that Dolars was driving at a speed of 75-76 mph in a 30 mph zone when he hit a schoolboy, resulting in the child’s immediate death. During sentencing, Judge Kristina Montgomery KC described Dolars’ speed as “excessive” and condemned his actions by stating, “Your selfish and dangerous driving took his life.”
Following the hearing, the family expressed their dissatisfaction with the length of the sentence. Clint, the boy’s father, remarked, “They gave him the maximum they could, but it’s not enough is it?” Meanwhile, his mother Louise emphasized that because Dolars would only serve two-thirds of his prison term, he would be released in six years. She added, “I know afterwards he can’t drive. That’s good to know – he’s not going to be on the roads doing it to another family.” Reflecting on the loss, she said, “To be in prison for six years, I think he should’ve got longer. My baby only had 12 years on this planet.”
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Ellie Reeves, Owatemi raised concerns over whether the legal threshold had been met to refer the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Having been present during the sentencing and witnessing the distressing footage of the crash alongside the family, Owatemi described the experience as “heartbreaking.”
Owatemi highlighted the severity of Dolars’ actions, noting his decision to flee the scene and avoid responsibility for over two years. She pointed out the disparity between the length of his driving ban and his prison sentence. She stated, “I make this request in light of the pain Keaton’s family have endured, Dolars’ decision to leave the scene and evade accountability for more than two years and the fact that his driving ban is substantially longer than his prison sentence.” Expressing shared concerns with the family, she questioned whether the prison term of just over six years adequately reflected the gravity of Dolars’ conduct and the injustice experienced by the family. Owatemi also urged that the sentence should clearly communicate the serious consequences of dangerous driving. She asked that consideration be given to factors such as Dolars’ fleeing the country, the victim’s vulnerability as a child pedestrian, the excessive speed involved, and his failure to stop or seek assistance. In the letter, she questioned whether the court fully explored all sentencing options, including if the criteria for imposing a life sentence had been met
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