Man crashed stolen car and killed half-brother

A man has been jailed for nine years after he crashed a stolen car and caused the death of his half-brother.

Joshua Rafferty, 20, was driving at speed in a Ford Mondeo when he lost control and crashed on Goodison Boulevard in Cantley, Doncaster, on 26 July 2024.

His half-brother Aiden Allen, 31, died while Rafferty was trapped inside the car. Rafferty was taken to hospital, where wraps of Class A drugs were recovered from his socks.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, Rafferty was sentenced to nine years in prison and was disqualified from driving for 15 years and three months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

PC Natalie Booler from South Yorkshire Police said: "On that night, Rafferty got behind the wheel of that car knowing he was in no fit state and had no licence to drive.

"He had control, he made the decisions and his actions killed Aiden."

Following his death, Mr Allen's family released a statement describing him as a "kind, caring and extremely loyal" father of two young boys.

"The boys were his world and he was theirs," the statement read.

"He was so proud of them both and spent most weekends taking them to football and was so proud of their achievements."

Following the crash, a blood sample was taken from Rafferty that showed he was over the prescribed limit for alcohol and had cocaine in his system.

He was also driving on his provisional licence without insurance, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Rafferty, of Cantley, pleaded guilty to numerous charges, including death by dangerous driving and possession of Class A drugs including cocaine and heroin.

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