Derbyshire driver who killed teen girl behind bars AGAIN for drink-driving after early release from jail

The outraged mother of a teenage girl who was killed in a horrific road crash has been shocked to learn the freed motorist who claimed her daughter’s life has been jailed again for further driving offences.
Dennis Squires.Dennis Squires.
Dennis Squires.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard how Dennis Squires, 34, of Jubilee Crescent, Clowne, was sentenced to 18 weeks of custody for driving while banned, drink-driving and for other matters while still on licence for a death by dangerous driving conviction.

Squires originally overturned a Citroen Saxo, on Buttermilk Lane, near Shuttlewood, killing 18-year-old passenger Emma Plackett in March, 2008, and was jailed in January, 2009, to six years and eight months.

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But following an early release on licence after serving only half his prison term he has committed further offences to the horror of Emma’s mother Mel Plackett, of Tupton, Chesterfield.

Mel Plackett with a picture of her late daughter Emma.Mel Plackett with a picture of her late daughter Emma.
Mel Plackett with a picture of her late daughter Emma.

Ms Plackett said: “I’m gobsmacked. The latest sentence is ludicrous. We expected him to go back to serve the other half of his original prison term if he committed another crime.

“He might not have killed anyone this time but that is more by luck than judgement. He’s been driving around putting people at risk. It would only have taken a stupid mistake and he could have ended up hitting a lamppost and killing more than just one person.

“He has not learned his lesson and has no concept of what he’s done and he doesn’t care. I thought there would come a point where someone would say enough is enough but it is not happening.

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“We get as much as we can expect from the judicial system, but I feel it is going too far the other way and I think these kind of people are laughing at it.”

Derbyshire Times' coverage of the story in 2008 when Emma Plackett was killed  in the crash.Derbyshire Times' coverage of the story in 2008 when Emma Plackett was killed  in the crash.
Derbyshire Times' coverage of the story in 2008 when Emma Plackett was killed in the crash.

Squires pleaded guilty during sentencing on November 18 to his latest driving offences which were committed in October.

These included refusing to stop his vehicle for police, exceeding the drink-drive limit, driving with no insurance and no licence and to driving while disqualified.

He was jailed for 18 weeks and banned from driving for 83 months and ordered to pay £315 in costs and charges.

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The 34-year-old was previously convicted in 2009 at Derby Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving and was banned from driving for five years after the crash on March 9.

Emma Plackett had enjoyed a night-out with friend Vicky Smith when they were joined by Squires, according to the crown court, and he took Miss Smith’s Saxo and drove with Emma to get cigarettes when the crash happened.

The court heard how a taxi-driver had watched the Saxo collide with a curb, swerve violently to the off-side and overturn.

Prosecuting barrister David Herbert told the court in 2009 that Squires had flouted at least eight driving bans and had two previous convictions for dangerous driving and had appeared in court 35 times for nearly 100 offences.

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Ms Plackett added: “Every day we still have to live with what happened. You don’t get over it. When we think about how Emma has lost out on her future it’s very upsetting.

“He has got on with his life while Emma lost hers and we lost a big part of ours.

“This is something a parent should never have to deal with but I am not the only one and sadly I won’t be the last.”

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