Essex woman has her sentence increased for dangerous driving conviction

Yaashmi Ravikumar has had her sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Sep 4, Attorney General's Office and The Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP: A woman whose dangerous driving caused the death of one person and life-changing injuries to four others has had her sentence increased following intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.

Yaashmi Ravikumar, 20, was visiting the Isle of Wight with friends in April 2019. On 14 April, she drove herself and her friends to the coast.

After failing to see signs indicating that there was a junction ahead, Ravikumar drove into the junction. She did not brake in time and collided with a bus, which in turn veered into an oncoming car. One person in the car was killed and three others sustained life-changing injuries. The bus driver was also seriously injured.

Ravikumar was sentenced to 18 months’ detention in a young offender’s institution on 13 July 2020 at Newport Crown Court. Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, on 4 September the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to 2 years and 4 months’ detention in a young offender’s institution.

After the hearing the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said:

Ravikumar’s driving and lack of attention to road signs caused the death of one person and serious injuries to several others. I am pleased the Court of Appeal has increased her sentence today to reflect the severity of the impact of her actions.