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Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Heartbroken mum dies a year after son, 6, was killed by drink-driver
Friends have paid tribute to a mum who died a year after her six-year-old son was killed by a drink and drug-fuelled driver. Gemma Painter, 29, was left devastated following the loss of young son Leo in a horrific crash last February. He had just been collected from school by Claire Adkins, 39, who was escorting him to his foster home, when uninsured Joe-Lewis Tyler smashed into them at 90mph in Worcester. Claire and taxi driver Courtney Hemming, 26, were killed instantly, while Leo died of his injuries in hospital on February 22. At the time of his death, Gemma had been looking forward to Leo coming to live with her again. She said Leo's loss had 'broken' her, adding: 'He changed my life when I had him and I just want to make sure he knows how much he was loved and how much he will be remembered by everyone.' Speaking after laying flowers at the scene of the collision, she told reporters: 'He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. 'I'm heartbroken that I won't see him again. He loved PAW Patrol and I gave him a pair of pyjamas with his favourite characters on. 'He said he loved wearing 'Mummy's pyjamas'.' Gemma, who battled mental health problems following his death, died 'peacefully' at home on June 30. Her family revealed she has 'saved' four people through organ donations. Friend Beth Munden is now organising a fun day event to raise money for Gemma's funeral and raise awareness about mental health. She said: 'Sadly on June 30, Gemma passed away peacefully. She was the life of the party. She was hilarious. 'You could be having your worst day possible, and you could be speaking to Gemma, and you'd feel alright again. 'She'd rather help out other people than help herself.' A GoFundMe page has so far raised more than £2,800. An inquest into Gemma's death will take place next March. Tyler was jailed for 18 years at Worcester Crown Court last August. The court heard he had been involved in two near-miss incidents in the minutes before the fatal crash after leaving the West Midlands Tavern. A bartender estimated he had downed around five pints of lager and four rounds of Sambuca and Jagermeister shots before he and his friend were asked to leave for being loud. A driver who witnessed the BMW before the collision said she feared for her life as the vehicle hit standing water on the road and nearly veered into her as she drove in the opposite direction. Tyler had just previously lost control and 'spun' the BMW, which he had borrowed from someone else and for which the temporary insurance had ran out around 90 minutes before the fatal crash, as he tried to negotiate a turn. A post-collision analysis found that Tyler had somewhere between 103 and 215mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, with the legal limit being 80mg per 100ml, and had also previously taken cocaine and cannabis. Judge James Burbidge KC said Ms Hemming would not have been able to anticipate that the BMW driven by Tyler would have been going at speeds of around 90mph on a day where it was raining and some roads had been left partially flooded. 'You caused catastrophic injuries to Courtney, Claire and Leo and from those injuries they could not be saved,' he told Tyler. 'I'm grateful for the photos of each victim I have been given because it is important for the court to remember the vibrant lives of those who have been taken. 'Courtney was looking forward to being married, her son has been left without a mother at the age of nine. 'Claire's three lads, now without a mother. Leo had barely started his life, aged six. 'Your actions have had a devastating effect on the victims and the various family members who have suffered as a result of your dangerous and selfish actions. 'They will remain bereft.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Triple murderer Nicholas Prosper spared whole life sentence after appeal refused MORE: Five key questions answered about the Trump administration's Epstein files chaos MORE: Why was the Sycamore Gap tree cut down and who was responsible?
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
Mum dies after young son killed by drunk driver on way home from school
Gemma Painter, 29, had been looking forward to six-year-old Leo coming to live with her again when he was killed by drunk and drug-fuelled driver Joe-Lewis Tyler. A devastated mother has died a year after her young son lost his life to a drink-and-drug -fuelled driver. Gemma Painter, 29, was left heartbroken after the death of six-year-old Leo last February. The young lad had just been picked up from school when the taxi he was travelling in was struck by Joe-Lewis Tyler, 34, behind the wheel of a stolen BMW 3 Series. Tyler had consumed approximately five pints of lager and four rounds of Sambuca and Jagermeister shots before he and an accomplice took the vehicle. Harrowing CCTV footage showed the moment the grey BMW crashed into the white Ford Mondeo taxi that was transporting Leo. The taxi driver, Courtney Hemming, 26, and 39-year-old Claire Adkins, who was accompanying Leo to his foster home, were pronounced dead at the scene. Leo was taken to hospital urgently but succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter, reports the Mirror. At the time of the tragic incident, Gemma had been eagerly anticipating the return of Leo to live with her. While laying flowers where the accident occurred, she made a touching tribute to her son, who adored PAW Patrol. She said: "He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. I'm heartbroken that I won't see him again. He loved PAW Patrol and I gave him a pair of pyjamas with his favourite characters on. He said he loved wearing 'Mummy's pyjamas'." Following a struggle with mental health issues after her son's passing, Gemma died "peacefully" at her residence on June 30. Her bereaved family honoured Gemma's memory and disclosed that her organ donations have saved the lives of four individuals. Gemma's sister Kenzie Beck shared: "She'll be greatly missed by many people. She was always kind and caring and would always stick up for anyone. I think it's nice to know that so many people loved and cared about her. She's gone on to save four people in organ donations." Her mate Beth Munden is now putting together a fun day event to collect funds for Gemma's funeral and to highlight the importance of mental health. Beth said: "Sadly on Monday 30th June 2025, Gemma passed away peacefully. She was the life of the party. She was hilarious. You could be having your worst day possible, and you could be speaking to Gemma, and you'd feel alright again. She'd rather help out other people than help herself". A GoFundMe page has already gathered over £2,700. An inquest into her death is scheduled for next March. Tyler received an 18-year sentence at Worcester Crown Court last August. He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts each of causing death by dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court was informed that he had up to 215 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood – exceeding the legal limit of 80ml. Blood tests also indicated significant levels of cocaine and cannabis. It was heard that Tyler had been drinking with his friend Miles Smith-Green at the West Midlands Tavern in Worcester, where they won £100 on the fruit machines. After consuming five pints of lager and four shots, including Sambuca and Jagerbombs, the duo were asked to leave the pub due to their unruly behaviour. They proceeded to get into a stolen BMW and sped off towards Badsey, Evesham, Worcestershire, without bothering to fasten their seatbelts. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. One motorist recounted that the vehicle was moving so swiftly she felt "fearful for her safety", while another described how Tyler nearly collided with her car at speeds reaching 100mph. She recounted the harrowing incident as akin to a "near death experience". Another witness commented on Tyler's reckless driving, suggesting he had a "death wish". During the sentencing, Judge James Burbidge addressed Tyler, stating: "Your actions have had a devastating effect on the victims as a result of your dangerous and selfish actions. They will remain bereft."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Heartbroken mum dies after boy, 6, killed by drunk driver on way home from school
Gemma Painter has died at her home 18 months after reckless drunk driver Joe-Lewis Tyler killed her six-year-old son Leo in a stolen BMW after he was kicked out of a pub The heartbroken mother of a six-year-old boy who was killed by a drunk and drug-fuelled driver has died. Gemma Painter, 29, was devastated by the death of her young son Leo in February last year. The boy had just been collected from school when the taxi he was in was hit by Joe-Lewis Tyler, 34, who was driving a stolen BMW 3 Series. Tyler had downed around five pints of lager and four rounds of Sambuca and Jagermeister shots before he and a friend took the car. Shocking CCTV captured the moment the grey BMW ploughed into the white Ford Mondeo taxi carrying Leo. Taxi driver Courtney Hemming, 26, and Claire Adkins, 39, who was escorting Leo to his foster home, died at the scene. Leo was rushed to hospital, but also died from his injuries a short time later. At the time of his death, Gemma had been looking forward to Leo coming to live with her again. As she lay flowers at the scene, she paid a poignant tribute to her PAW Patrol-loving son. She added: "He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. I'm heartbroken that I won't see him again. He loved PAW Patrol and I gave him a pair of pyjamas with his favourite characters on. He said he loved wearing 'Mummy's pyjamas'." The mum, who battled mental health problems following his death, died 'peacefully' at home on June 30. Her grieving family paid tribute to Gemma and revealed she has saved four people through organ donations. Gemma's sister Kenzie Beck said: "She'll be greatly missed by many people. She was always kind and caring and would always stick up for anyone. I think it's nice to know that so many people loved and cared about her. She's gone on to save four people in organ donations.' Her friend Beth Munden is now organising a fun day event to raise money for Gemma's funeral and raise awareness about mental health. She said: 'Sadly on Monday 30th June 2025, Gemma passed away peacefully. She was the life of the party. She was hilarious. You could be having your worst day possible, and you could be speaking to Gemma, and you'd feel alright again. She'd rather help out other people than help herself". A GoFundMe page has so far raised more than £2,700. An inquest into her death will take place next March. Tyler was jailed for 18 years at Worcester Crown Court last August. He had earlier admitted three counts of both causing death by dangerous driving and driving while uninsured. The court heard he revealed he had up to 215 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood – the legal limit being 80ml. Blood tests also showed high levels of cocaine and cannabis in his system. The court heard Tyler had been drinking with pal Miles Smith-Green in the West Midlands Tavern in Worcester, winning £100 on the fruit machines. The pair drank five pints of lager and four shots of Sambuca and Jagerbombs before being told to leave the pub for being rowdy. They then got into the stolen BMW and, without wearing seatbelts, drove at high speed towards Badsey, Evesham, Worcs. One driver said the car was travelling so fast she was 'fearful for her safety' while another said Tyler almost hit her car at 100mph. She described the terrifying near-miss as a 'near death experience'. Another said Tyler was 'driving like an idiot' and had a 'death wish'. At the sentencing hearing, Judge James Burbidge told Tyler: 'Your actions have had a devastating effect on the victims as a result of your dangerous and selfish actions. They will remain bereft." Whatever you are going through, you don't have to face it alone. Call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email jo@ or visit for more information.
Powys County Times
09-07-2025
- Powys County Times
Man accused of murdering Iraq War veteran ‘just wanted to give him a black eye'
A man accused of murdering an Iraq War veteran he punched three times has denied he intended to cause him serious harm, telling a jury he 'just wanted to give him a black eye'. Gregory Twigg, 32, disagreed that he was 'fired up on drink and coke and raging' when he confronted medically-retired British Army veteran Lee Woodward, 39, in Stoke-on-Trent on the night of June 24 2022, leaving him brain damaged. The defendant, who was jailed for eight years and three months in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent for the attack on Mr Woodward, is now on trial accused of murder after the victim died from complications arising from his injuries on April 26 2023. Giving evidence in his trial at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, Twigg, previously of Blurton in Stoke-on-Trent, said he was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra being driven by his friend Nathan Lockley and was heading for a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme when they encountered Mr Woodward, who was walking by their car in Hill Street. He said Mr Woodward had shouted at them that they were a 'bunch of p*****' and commented on their driving, saying he would 'knock us all out', which led to Mr Lockley pulling the car over in nearby Trade Street before a confrontation followed. Twigg, who was caught on camera throwing what prosecution counsel David Mason KC called 'powerful and cowardly' punches at Mr Woodward, who was in 'no position to defend himself' after the first punch knocked him to the ground, said he did not intend to seriously hurt him. He admitted he was 'tipsy' at the time, having drunk vodka and Sambuca and taken cocaine. Asked by his barrister, Ahmed Hossain KC, how he felt that his punches caused Mr Woodward's death, Twigg said: 'Devastated… it wasn't what I intended to cause, it wasn't what I wanted to happen.' He admitted he had been 'quite angry' after Mr Woodward's comments, telling the jury: 'I just punched him, I wasn't thinking of causing him serious injuries, just a black eye or marks or injuries to the face. 'I wasn't thinking of kicking him in the head because I knew that would cause him serious harm on the floor. 'I wasn't trying to find a weapon, I wasn't going to pick anything up to hit him with because that would cause him serious harm.' In cross-examination, Twigg said he feared after the first punch that Mr Woodward was going to try and attack him. Mr Mason said: 'That's just a lie isn't it? You were fired up on drink and coke and raging – that's you in a nutshell that night, isn't it?' Twigg said: 'No. I can't say I was trying to punch Mr Woodward really hard.' He added: 'I thought he was a threat because of how big he was, he looked like he could do some damage to me.' Mr Mason asked Twigg why he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2022 if all he intended was to give Mr Woodward a black eye. He said: 'I thought I was doing the right thing.' 'That's nonsense, isn't it? You pleaded guilty because that was your intention that night, wasn't it?' Mr Mason said. 'You are now trying to wriggle out of that plea because you know perfectly well that makes you guilty of murder, don't you?' Twigg said: 'I know that now, yeah. I never wanted to cause serious harm to him.'
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Man accused of murdering Iraq War veteran ‘just wanted to give him a black eye'
Gregory Twigg, 32, disagreed that he was 'fired up on drink and coke and raging' when he confronted medically-retired British Army veteran Lee Woodward, 39, in Stoke-on-Trent on the night of June 24 2022, leaving him brain damaged. The defendant, who was jailed for eight years and three months in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent for the attack on Mr Woodward, is now on trial accused of murder after the victim died from complications arising from his injuries on April 26 2023. Giving evidence in his trial at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, Twigg, previously of Blurton in Stoke-on-Trent, said he was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra being driven by his friend Nathan Lockley and was heading for a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme when they encountered Mr Woodward, who was walking by their car in Hill Street. He said Mr Woodward had shouted at them that they were a 'bunch of p*****' and commented on their driving, saying he would 'knock us all out', which led to Mr Lockley pulling the car over in nearby Trade Street before a confrontation followed. Twigg, who was caught on camera throwing what prosecution counsel David Mason KC called 'powerful and cowardly' punches at Mr Woodward, who was in 'no position to defend himself' after the first punch knocked him to the ground, said he did not intend to seriously hurt him. He admitted he was 'tipsy' at the time, having drunk vodka and Sambuca and taken cocaine. Asked by his barrister, Ahmed Hossain KC, how he felt that his punches caused Mr Woodward's death, Twigg said: 'Devastated… it wasn't what I intended to cause, it wasn't what I wanted to happen.' He admitted he had been 'quite angry' after Mr Woodward's comments, telling the jury: 'I just punched him, I wasn't thinking of causing him serious injuries, just a black eye or marks or injuries to the face. 'I wasn't thinking of kicking him in the head because I knew that would cause him serious harm on the floor. 'I wasn't trying to find a weapon, I wasn't going to pick anything up to hit him with because that would cause him serious harm.' In cross-examination, Twigg said he feared after the first punch that Mr Woodward was going to try and attack him. Mr Mason said: 'That's just a lie isn't it? You were fired up on drink and coke and raging – that's you in a nutshell that night, isn't it?' Twigg said: 'No. I can't say I was trying to punch Mr Woodward really hard.' He added: 'I thought he was a threat because of how big he was, he looked like he could do some damage to me.' Mr Mason asked Twigg why he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in 2022 if all he intended was to give Mr Woodward a black eye. He said: 'I thought I was doing the right thing.' 'That's nonsense, isn't it? You pleaded guilty because that was your intention that night, wasn't it?' Mr Mason said. 'You are now trying to wriggle out of that plea because you know perfectly well that makes you guilty of murder, don't you?' Twigg said: 'I know that now, yeah. I never wanted to cause serious harm to him.' The trial continues.
