A cyclist who killed his girlfriend in a horrific motorcycle crash has been spared from prison after the victim's family made an emotional plea to a judge to show him mercy.
Laura Carrillo, 27, died after Jake Barton's KTM RC 390 fell into oncoming traffic near Whitchurch, Shropshire.
On October 12, 2023, a woman born in Madrid who had been living in the UK since 2017 was pronounced dead on the A41 motorway.
Barton (24), from Stafford, subsequently pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was facing prison at the time of today's sentencing
However, Barton avoided a prison sentence after Ms Carrillo's family pleaded with the court not to sentence him to prison.
Laura Carrillo's boyfriend, 27 (pictured), who killed her in a horrific motorcycle crash, has avoided jail
Her family, who described the Spaniard as an athletic biology student who lived life to the fullest, made an emotional appeal to the judge not to jail her boyfriend, Mr. Barton.
Ms Carrillo's brother, Jaime Carrillo, sent victim impact statements to District Judge Ian Barnes, who sentenced Barton at Telford Magistrates' Court.
In victim impact statements, the family described the Spanish national as an athletic ice hockey biology student who enjoyed life to the fullest.
Prosecutor Sara Beddow read a statement that also said: “We do not want Jake to go to prison, we do not believe it would in any way help or ease the pain.”
Carrillo said the Carrillo-Sanchez family “did not view Jake as a criminal” and felt he had been “punished enough” by Ms. Carrillo's death.
“He loved my sister. There is no greater punishment than watching my sister die,” he added.
The grieving brother also told how his sister's death “destroyed (their) lives,” adding that his parents underwent therapy following the tragedy.
He also revealed that his 85-year-old grandmother “is unable to cope with her absence.”
“We are greatly impacted, forever devastated,” Carrillo said.
Ms Beddow, prosecuting, said the Prees Higher Heath disaster was the result of a “momentary loss of concentration”.
Defense lawyer Adrian Roberts said Barton himself had found it “difficult to come to terms with the tragic events”.
A victim impact statement sent by her brother Jaime Carrillo reads: “We do not want Jake to go to prison, we do not believe it would in any way help or ease the pain” (pictured: Telford Magistrates' Court)
He added: “The two of them worked together for eight months. He is clearly devastated and is struggling to explain how he feels.”
Roberts alleged that a pickup truck in front of Barton's motorcycle, traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour, “suddenly” braked.
Barton was “too close” and tried to avoid the collision by swerving to the right.
Roberts said: “He caught the rear offside of the Toyota Hilux and (Ms Carrillo) fell.”
He added that Barton, a contract catering events manager, continued working despite the “weight of guilt”.
District Judge Ian Barnes said it was a “desperately tragic case for everyone involved” and offered his condolences to Ms Carrillo's family.
He said Barton “reacted too late” and tried to avoid action. The court was told traffic was traveling at around 40mph.
The judge said: “You had no intention of causing harm but you are responsible for it. It is obvious that Laura loved very much and lived her life to the fullest. Her joy was contagious.”
The judge sentenced him to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, adding that there were “realistic prospects for rehabilitation”.
Barton will also have to complete 250 hours of unpaid community work and undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
Barton was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £85.
Ms Carrillo, who had been living in the UK since 2017, was pronounced dead on the A41 motorway (pictured) on October 12, 2023 after falling from Mr Barton's motorbike
He was also banned from driving for 18 months, after which he will have to pass an extended driving test before driving again.
In a previous tribute to the 27-year-old, Ms Carrillo's family said: 'Laura lit up every room she entered.
“She was fiery, energetic, adventurous, kind and beautifully crazy.
“She loved traveling and discovering new places, and we are grateful that she saw as much of the world as she did before she died.
“We know the world is a better place because of her influence.
“She was a beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. Words cannot express how much we will miss her and how our lives have been forever changed.
