'My daughter has been completely failed': Mother of teen crash victim hits out at judge's decision not to jail soldier who smashed speeding BMW into trees so he could keep job

Published: 09:03 EDT, 27 October 2026 | Updated: 09:04 EDT, 27 October 2026 A grieving mother said her 'daughter has been completely failed' by the justice system after her killer was spared jail to save his military career. Laionie Kennard, 18, died when Joseph Pickett's BMW 1 Series crashed into trees after misjudging a corner in Bournemouth, Dorset, in September 2023.Craftsman Pickett admitted causing Laionie's death while driving at roughly 50mph in a 30mph zone but he was not jailed because prison sentences result in dismissal from the army.After a coroner ruled that the most significant cause of Laionie's death was Pickett's excessive speed, her mother Kelly Kennard, 41, said: 'I feel my daughter has been completely failed.'I feel so angry that my daughter lost her life and yet the man driving the car didn't receive a prison sentence.'Laionie, who died at the scene from serious head injuries, had messaged her mother 30 minutes earlier to express concern at Pickett's driving.Pickett, then aged 18, had consumed up to a bottle of Henry Weston's cider before driving and failed a roadside breath test following the crash.He was handed a prison sentence of 10 months suspended for two years, disqualified from driving for two years, ordered to pay £232 in costs and complete 250 hours of unpaid work. Kelly Kennard whose daughter Laionie (above) was killed in the crash said: 'My daughter has been completely failed' Laionie's parents Kelly and David Kennard believe their daughter's killer should be in prisonPickett was convicted of causing death by careless driving but was given a suspended prison sentence at Poole Magistrates' Court. The inquest heard the BMW was estimated to be travelling at between 47mph and 58mph at the moment it left the road.Pickett had been taking three friends home from a trip to McDonald's.He suffered minor injuries, as did his girlfriend Edy Herridge and friend William Green, both also 18.He had also recently passed an intensive driving course with the army only a few weeks before the crash. Mrs Kennard added: 'A video recorded in the car one minute before the collision shows another passenger swearing about the speed they were travelling at.'The speedometer was visible on this recording and, albeit blurry, the coroner could see the dial was pointing at 12 o'clock which is 80mph, in a 30mph zone.'The driver, Joe Pickett, argued it was wrong.' Pictured: Joseph Pickett at Poole Magistrates Court where he admitted causing Laionie's deathBrendan Allen, the Dorset Coroner, said he will issue a prevention of future deaths report because of the limited experience Pickett had driving. Pickett bought the BMW less than three weeks before the crash and passed his test following a week-long intensive course through the army.He had limited experience driving at night, on rural roads and in a vehicle of that power.The coroner said graduated driving licences would be raised with the Department for Transport, while concerns surrounding intensive driving courses would be raised with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in his report.A MoD spokesman said after the court case: 'Our thoughts are with Laionie's family and friends at this sad and difficult time.'They added that any service personnel who commit an offence are dealt with through the disciplinary process, but would not comment on Pickett's individual circumstances.