https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8427401/Grieving-mothers-fury-early-release-date-couple-killed-daughter.htmlGrieving mother's fury over early release date for the killer couple who barged her 22-year-old daughter off-road to her death in Fast and Furious-style chase
Sophie Taylor, 22, was driven off-road by Michael Wheeler and Melissa Pesticcio
The couple chased her through Cardiff before barging her BMW into a brick wall
Sophie died after being pulled from the wreckage the couple were jailed for 14 years
August marks halfway point of their sentences and both are set to be released
A petition has now racked up 5,000 signatures in a bid to stop their early release
By Danyal Hussain For Mailonline
Published: 17:06, 16 June 2020 | Updated: 17:06, 16 June 2020
A grieving mother has slammed the early release of a couple who killed her daughter after barging her off the road in a Fast and Furious-style chase. Jackie Taylor, 55, has vowed to 'keep on fighting the justice system' over the early release of the couple who killed her daughter Sophie, 22 in August 2016. Sophie was driven to her death in Adamsdown, Cardiff after a high-speed pursuit by Michael Wheeler, 23, and Melissa Pesticcio, 24. Sophie's ex-boyfriend Wheeler deliberately barged her black BMW into the brick wall of a house after a blazing row. She died after being pulled from the wreckage as the couple hid around the corner. They were jailed for a total of 14 years. But both are set to be released in August this year after serving just half their sentences. A petition has now racked up 5,000 signatures in a bid to stop their early release. Jackie said: 'The sentence was an insult, and is an insult. For them to get out halfway through is awful back to work and this is just a kick in the teeth. There will be an exclusion order in place, but I can't bear the thought of turning a corner and seeing one of them. I couldn't believe it when they phoned to tell me about the release date. It has taken me three years to get back to work and this is just a kick in the teeth. We have received so much support from family and Sophie's friends, but those two have shown absolutely no remorse. They have never said sorry for what they did. I am going to keep on fighting the judicial system. It is in the dark ages and does not live in the real world. It needs to serve the victim more than the criminal. It is as if my daughter's life is worthless.'
Wheeler pleaded guilty in December 2016 to causing the death of Sophie and serious injury to her passenger Joshua Deguara by driving dangerously. Pesticcio pleaded not guilty to the offences but was convicted by a jury following a two-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court in 2017. Wheeler, of Rumney, Cardiff, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years while Pesticcio, of nearby Marshfield, got six-and-a-half years. The petition says: 'They were charged with death by dangerous driving when they chased the poor girl all around Cardiff and decided to ram her off the road, causing Sophie to have a catastrophic brain injury and Joshua to be in critical condition in the hospital which caused him to lose his leg. 'Sophie had her life taken from her and Josh have suffered horrendously throughout this whole ordeal. These should be made to serve their full sentences. How are they not doing them? It's so wrong. Look at these faces that will be back on our streets with not a care in the world about what they have done. What they have caused so many people. How are they allowed to be released on our streets again so soon?'
An investigation by the Independent Police Complains Commission was launched into calls made to police by Sophie regarding 'concerns about her ex-boyfriend' before her death. A 999 call handler resigned after they were found to have spoken with 'dismissiveness' when Sophie rang to tell police of her fears. The angry couple set off after Sophie in their cars after she demanded back £6,500 she paid for a motorbike for Wheeler following her bitter split. Sophie took friend Joshua Deguara, 21, with her to confront Wheeler just before midnight on August 21, 2016, to demand the bike back but a row broke out. Wheeler then rang Pesticcio for help and the pair chased Sophie in their cars for three miles. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'We understand the impending release of a prisoner can cause distress to victims, and our thoughts are with Miss Taylor's family, as well as Mr Deguara and his family. Anyone released from prison faces strict conditions while on a licence, such as curfews and exclusion zones, and can be returned to custody immediately if they are breached. This Government is making the most serious offenders spend longer in prison and will introduce life sentences for those who cause death by dangerous driving.'
