LOUIS Tavener has been jailed over a crash that killed Frome pilot Warwick Bayman.

Tavener, of Fell Road, Westbury, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving over a crash in Dilton Marsh on April 11 last year.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury and a further count of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was jailed for eight years and six months, to serve a minimum of two thirds of the sentence in prison, at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday (November 18).

The crash happened on the A3098 outside Chalcot Park Farm, which has a 50mph speed limit.

Tavener was driving at speeds of up to 78 miles per hour in wet conditions when he lost control of his car and crashed head on into Mr Bayman, who was travelling home in the opposite direction, the court heard.

Mr Bayman, a 63-year-old retired pilot, sadly died at the scene.

Three passengers in Tavener’s BMW were also injured, including Jenson Moore, who was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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Mr Bayman’s sister Clare, speaking on behalf of her family, said: “The way in which my brother lost his life was slightly ironic.

“He was a commercial pilot, an HGV Class 1 driver and a superbly skilled rally driver who had nothing to prove on the road.

“Yet, he was killed by a driver who was going too fast for his level of driving experience.

“Warwick’s family, fiancée and friends will always hold him in their memories as being one of the really good guys and he will be greatly missed.”

Sergeant Rich Hatch, from Wiltshire’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “Tavener’s actions directly changed the lives of numerous people forever.

“Mr Bayman was only a few weeks away from marrying his partner when Tavener took both his and his fiancée’s future away. Our thoughts remain with Mr Bayman’s family and friends on this day.

“Wiltshire Police and the CPS have spent a year building the case against Tavener.

“His sentence should serve as a warning to others who make conscious decisions to drive too fast in wet conditions.

“The actions of one driver can change lives forever and we urge people to consider the risks before doing so.”