Unlicensed driver left girlfriend to die in wreckage 3 days before her 21st birthday before blaming pal for horror crash
A SHAMELESS boyfriend left his girlfriend to die after crashing his car in a horror smash just three days before her 21st birthday.
Nathan Towers, 33, didn't even have a driving licence when he got behind the wheel of the Mini to pick up Jess Waterman.
After crashing the car in Epping, Essex, the callous driver fled the scene and left gravely injured Jess behind.
He then reported the horror to police, who arrived to find Jess unresponsive with a head injury.
She was rushed to hospital but sadly couldn't be saved and died shortly after.
Towers has now been jailed for four years and three months for causing death by careless driving, perverting the course of justice and fraud.
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Speaking after the sentencing, Jess' family said: "Today we have seen some justice for our beloved daughter Jess, but we can never forgive or forget the cold, calm and calculated actions of Nathan Towers.
"We trusted he would keep her safe that night. Jess was going to turn 21 three days after the accident. She had been looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday with her family and friends, but all arrangements had to be cancelled.
"The pain is indescribable. We wouldn't wish this on anyone.
"Our Jess was a beautiful, vibrant, and caring young woman who had touched the lives of so many.
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"No length of sentence will ever feel enough as nothing can bring her back. She was our light, and our world is a darker place without her. We will always love you, Jess. #TeamJess".
Police were scrambled to Houblons Hill at around 10.30pm on February 19 last year after receiving a report of a single-vehicle crash.
Officers managed to trace Towers to his home nearby where they found the washing machine on with muddy clothes inside despite the time.
They also discovered his phone hidden between bed slats that showed he had called police to report the crash.
During his interview, shameless Towers claimed he had bought the car a few days earlier but said his friend was driving that night.
His lies unravelled when doorcam footage showed he had picked Jess up that night wearing the same clothes recovered from the washing machine.
Inspector Mark Fraser, Serious Collision Investigation Unit, who led the investigation, said Towers flouted the law by driving his car despite never passing a driving test.
He added: "That night, after losing control of his vehicle in a collision which tragically caused Jess to lose her life, he callously and selfishly fled the scene to avoid arrest, with no regard for Jess or her injuries.
"Following a thorough investigation, he pleaded guilty to all the offences and has been sentenced for those matters, finally facing justice for his actions.
"Jess's family have lost both a daughter and a sister and no length of sentence will bring her back, but I hope today's sentencing brings some closure to a tragically sad event."
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