AN unlicenced driver who admitted leaving his fatally injured girlfriend behind in the car he was driving after it crashed, has been jailed. 

Nathan Towers of Broadoaks, Epping, was jailed for a total of four years and three months when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, May 30. 

The 33-year-old was sentenced to three years for causing death by careless driving and further sentenced for perverting the course of justice and fraud after he had pleaded guilty to multiple charges when he appeared at the same court on April 25.

The family of Jess Waterman who died following the collision paid tribute to her at the time saying "Jess was beautiful inside and out" and that she was "tragically taken" from them just three days before her 21st birthday.

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She had sustained a head injury and was unresponsive after a fatal crash.

Jess, 20, from Bishop’s Stortford, was taken to hospital, but, sadly, she died there less than 24 hours later. 

Following enquiries by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, Nathan Towers was charged with causing death by careless driving and perverting the course of justice.

He was also charged with fraud by giving false details to an insurance company and causing death whilst unlicenced and uninsured to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on March 28.

Following the sentence the Waterman family’s statement read: "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.

"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."

Inspector Mark Fraser, Serious Collision Investigation Unit, who led the investigation, said: "Nathan flouted the law by driving his car despite never passing a driving test.

"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."

Nathan was also charged with two counts of possession of cannabis but received no separate penalty.