On June 19th 2021 Sharlotte-Sky Naglis, a beautiful 6 year old from Norton Green in Stoke on Trent, was walking to the shops with her father on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Sharlotte was killed almost instantly when John Owen, 46, lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into Sharlotte and her Dad, crushing her through a stone wall.

I apologise for the graphic detail, but it is so important to understand the full horror of the event that changed a family's life forever, broke the hearts of a community and ended the life of an innocent and amazing 6 year old girl, loved by all her knew her, her whole life ahead of her.

John Owen was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today and received a pitiful sentence of 6 years and 2 months, meaning he will likely serve around 3 years. This sentence is an insult to Sharlotte's family and to her memory. The sentence recommendation for this offence category (at the time of the offence) is a starting point of 8 years with a range of 7-14 years. This sentence has not even met that recommendation. 

Three years were 'knocked off' the sentence for the fact John Owen showed remorse. This is strongly disputed, as Owen's conduct since the incident has not reflected he is in any way sorry. Owen also delayed pleading guilty, putting the family through even more unnecessary distress. Real remorse would have been shown by pleading guilty immediately instead of seemingly trying to shorten his sentence by pleading down the line. Regardless, any amount of remorse can not bring back Sharlotte and undo what has occurred.

On the day that Sharlotte died, Owen made a decision, he had taken cocaine and consumed alcohol, prior to getting into his car. At the point of impact, Owen was using his phone and travelling at 48mph in a 30mph zone. These were conscious decisions. Aside from this, Owen had a previous conviction for drink driving in 1998.

The incident has been categorised as a 'tragic accident' - this is not an accidental death. Any driver, any responsible adult, knows that this fatal mix of alcohol, drugs, phone use and speeding can result in innocent lives being taken or changed. As such, the sentence should reflect the loss of life and the consequences of deliberate and conscious actions.

We urge for this sentence to be reviewed at the earliest opportunity. The whole family are suffering greatly, nothing will bring Sharlotte back and nothing can repair the pain of their terrible loss, however the family deserve justice, they deserve peace with the sentence. They will not get this in any way knowing Owen will walk free in 3 years time.

Owen will also be eligible to drive again after 5 years after an extended test. We believe that any driver who has killed through dangerous/drink or drug driving should receive a lifetime ban.

The sentence guidelines for this type of offence have thankfully been revised, a life sentence can now be received. Currently Owen could not be legally sentenced under these guidelines, we wish for this legality to be revised at the highest level to allow an appropriate maximum sentence to be issued.

Should this not be possible, we would ask for a maximum sentence following the guidelines at the time, and for 14 years to mean 14 years with no eligibility for an earlier release. UK sentences are, as a rule ,halved for 'good behaviour' in prison. Owen's conduct in prison is irrelevant to his sentence. Being released halfway through his sentence only puts him out into society earlier, posing a risk to the public due to his blatant disregard for the law.

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