THOMAS Lenthall has been jailed for 10 years over the Frome crash that killed Maddie and Libby North.
The 40-year-old, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard how Lenthall had been driving in excess of 100mph along the A361 Frome Bypass on July 25 when his car, an Audi RS6, collided with a VW Polo.
Madison and Liberty North, known to their loved ones as Maddie and Libby, had been celebrating Maddie’s graduation, which was due to take place the following day, with family at their home nearby.
The pair had popped out to get some soft drinks from the local shop when their car collided with Lenthall’s.
The pair, aged 21 and 17, tragically died at the scene and parents, Verity and Jason North, submitted a powerful victim personal statement to the court.
“Maddie, her sister Libby and the whole family were so excited and proud she was graduating as a teacher, achieving her childhood dream,” they said.
“Family were invited, the party was arranged, everything felt perfect.
“On the evening of (July) 25, Maddie and Libby popped out for a Coke, and they never came home.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare – their lives were taken. Our innocent, precious daughters, at such young ages, were just beginning to live their best lives and fulfil their dreams.
“In a heartbeat, everything changed. They had been killed by the reckless dangerous driving of another.”
READ MORE: Maddie and Libby North’s parents’ heartbreaking statement after crash tragedy
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Lenthall was taken to hospital with serious injuries and was later arrested and charged.
At the time of the collision, he had been overtaking another car when he collided head on with Maddie’s vehicle.
Sentencing, His Honour Judge James Patrick said the world of the North family had fallen apart at their desperate loss.
He ordered he should serve a minimum two-thirds of his sentence, and disqualified him from driving for seven years.
Lead investigator from the Collision Investigation Unit, Carl Derosa, said: “This is a tragic case where two young ladies, with their whole lives ahead of them, were cruelly taken too soon from their parents and family.
The crash happened on the A361 Frome Bypass. Picture: Google
“The reckless actions of one man has left two parents without their children and a hole in their lives which no sentence will be able to fill.
“I can only hope this sentence will go some way to providing justice for Maddie and Libby’s family.
“My team worked through the night to bring this case before the courts so quickly and we thank everyone for their support in making this sentence possible.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Jason and Verity and I hope Lenthall understands the ramifications of his actions that day.”
This is an absolutely shocking that this man, Thomas Lenthall has received such a lenient sentence for causing the death of two young women. This was not an unfortunate accident, this man willfully drove his vehicle at 100 mph, on a road where the maximum speed is 60 mph. How can this sentence justify the loss of two young lives? He knew he was breaking the law and the risks involved to others driving at such a speed.
I feel very sorry for the parents of these two young girls who were just about to start their journey in life having studied hard and achieved excellent results with their exams. What an awful shame for those girls and their family to then find themselves let down by the law and the drive only given a 10 year sentence which is subject to being reduced for ‘good behaviour!’ It’s a pity this ‘good behaviour’ didn’t extend to the night he took the lives of two young sisters and ultimately their parents lives!!! Absolutely disgusting and an insult for their families.
Disgusting! He chose to drive recklessly so it wasn’t an ‘accident’. Those beautiful young girls had no idea what was about to happen, but he knew the risks that lay ahead.
Life for a life, without question! And he took two!
What’s the point in having laws if they’re so weak?
His sentence isn’t long enough by far, and to think he might be out early due to ‘good behaviour’ is a sick and twisted joke.
Where was his good behaviour behind the wheel of that car on the night of the 25th July?!
Do the world a favour. Lock him up and throw away the key.
Disgusting he should have got life he is scum
5 years per life and serves a max of 6 years in total or possibly less…………….WHERE IS THE JUSTICE! They used to say crime doesn’t pay, but in the 21st century it seems to pay every time for the criminals. There is no deterrent any more for criminals as the light touch justice system is broken beyond repair and all the scumbags know it. They go to court with their sleezy solictors giving made up mitigations for their actions and get off almost scott free! We need retributive justice in the UK and we need it now. We have all had enough of this type of “justice”!!!
No justice 😢 here
He should have a double life sentence, that judge should be put in prison for giving such a light sentence.
No justice here
Total joke this sentence .
Where’s the justice
This is not justice for killing two young innocent girls, who had their whole lives ahead of them.
When you take a life you should get life and that’s not 10 or 20 years
There No justice for two beautiful young ladies. Disgusting
You call this justice absolutely disgusting , should of been at least 20years for each of those lovely girls , no justice will never ever bring back
There is No justice in this country!
The Young Girls parents lives have been ripped apart and no justice for them.
I am appalled.
This is not justice, would the Judge have been so lenient if it were members of his or her family killed
Absolutely disgusting sentence
How do the so called qualified people of the justice system, the JUDGE, the SOLICITOR sleep at night, go home and enjoy their time with their family. Why not meet with the parents who has just lost their most precious gifts of lives, two beautiful Daughters. Explain to them why they got the life sentence, and the criminal, supported by a solicitor, making excuses for the criminal ended up with ten years and will be significantly reduced for good behaviour. He should have got two life sentences. Life for a life, how hard is that, “thats justice”. When and what, will it take for the justice system to change in the UK, for god sake listen and learn the actual meaning of ” justice”
I cant believe this justice system 2 young lives taken and he gets min of 10 years what the justice in this, bring back death sentence!
This is an absolute joke. Do these judges have any idea of what stupid sentences like that do to bereaved families. They will never have a life with their precious daughters but he gets off with this ridiculous sentence. Do they really think morons like him take any notice of a driving ban. He should serve 10 years min. Absolutely no justice served here. Life for life in my opinion, why should he have a future when those poor girls don’t. Disgusting outcome.
No fixed abode but is driving an RS6? £100k plus car…..hhhmmmm I wonder who’s car it was?
Known to the police with a history of driving offences…..I would happily put lead through his head.
Should have got twenty years and banned from driving for ever. The cruelty to this lovely family will scar them forever.
Agree with above. Sounds suspiciously as though, with such a car and no abode, it is VERY likely his appalling judgement and moral compass go beyond this SHOCKINGLY DREADFUL driving event. Was the WHOLE person and his use to/care for society in any way taken into account? Is he part of the lowlife hoard of DRUG USERS who blight our society? An absolutely dreadful sentencing error here.
If you drive deliberately recklessly and on the wrong side of the road causing life to be lost , it should be mandatory 20 years minimum with no allowance for ‘good behaviour’ . This piece of crap had his chance to behave good by not doing it in the first place . Also the 7 year driving ban should be lifetime driving ban for such as this and if ever caught driving ANY vehicle ever again from a moped to an hgv then back in jail …FOR LIFE . As for the ‘judge’ , best I don’t get started on that one !