THE heartbroken family of Natasha Carruthers have welcomed the jailing of two men who caused her death during a high-speed car chase in Co Fermanagh.
Ms Carruthers, a 23-year-old mother of one from Letterbreen, was killed when the car she was in hit a tree near Derrylin in October 2017.
The driver, Nathan Phair, was trying to flee a man he double-crossed in a drugs deal.
Phair (23) from Castlebalfour Park in Lisnaskea, was given an 11-year-sentence after being convicted of dangerous driving causing death.
Padraig Toher (29) from Bawnboy, Co Cavan was sentenced to 12 years having pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
They will serve half the sentences in prison with the remainder on supervised licence on their release.
Dungannon Crown Court judge Neil Rafferty QC, sitting in Belfast, told the pair they both "contributed to the untimely and tragic death of Natasha," which had had a devastating affect on her family who spoke eloquently of their loss".
The judge added: "To drive at speeds and in the manner which you did on public roads displayed a deliberate, outrageous and wanton callous disregard for the safety of the public and those occupants of either car."
At the time, Phair was trying to evade the black BMW of Toher, whom he "stroked" the previous evening by making off with £440 of his money, without supplying him cocaine, as he had in the past.
Their race along the dark country roads was caught at times on CCTV cameras. Motoring experts estimated that they were travelling at an average speed of 75mph. However, when caught on security cameras going through Derrylin. Their speed had climbed to over 100mph.
Ms Carruthers's family yesterday paid tribute to a "fun-loving, caring person with a heart of gold".
"No sentence will change the fact that Natasha is dead and we as a family have to live with a life sentence inflicted on us," they said in a statement.
"There is not a day that goes by that we do not think of Natasha and our hearts break.
"Natasha died from horrific injuries resulting from the selfish actions of Padraig Toher and Nathan Phair. Her death has impacted on our entire family.
"Natasha was a much-loved mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece. Natasha's daughter Lily-Rose had just turned one when her mummy was killed. She will never know her mum. All she will have is photos from when she was a baby. We will never be able to replace the love of her mummy."
A lawyer for Toher , who readily admitted his guilt, said his client recognised from the outset his "due day of punishment would come" and that his drug meddling had "brought nothing but distress and the heartbreaking consequences far beyond any intention".
Phair's guilt resulted from his conviction after two trials, one aborted for legal reasons, during which he maintained he was "not responsible" for causing Natasha's death, claiming Toher's car repeatedly nudged his as he attempted to overtake him just prior to the horrific smash.
His lawyer said he had"expressed genuine and spontaneous remorse" at his trial, but while the eventual jury guilty "verdict is respected, it is not accepted".
Welcoming the sentence PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan.
"Natasha was a mother to her one-year-old daughter at the time of her death. She was also a much loved daughter, sister, grand-daughter and niece. Her family's lives have been ruined by the actions of Nathan and Padraig," he said.
"Since the incident, Padraig Toher has shown remorse for his actions but Nathan has continually refused to accept any responsibility for Natasha's death, claiming that he had no option but to speed in order to get away from Toher. Throughout the investigation it was clear that Phair felt no remorse for the fact that his actions killed a young mother. Shortly after the crash he even boasted in social media messages that he would be likely to get a claim out of his injuries and Disability Living Allowance.
"Whilst these men have now been jailed for their role in Natasha's death, her family have to live with their loss forever.
"These two men have caused immeasurable damage and Natasha's little girl will have to grow up without her mother."
