“Misguided vigilantism’: Jail for WA driver over teen’s death crash

AN unlicensed driver who chased a teenage dirt bike rider in his Mercedes, saw him crash, and left him to die, has been jailed.

Jailed: Jude Nathan Francis was sentenced to seven years after the road death of Mitchell Chase. Picture: Channel 9

A PERTH driver who chased a teenage dirt bike rider in a case prosecutors described as “misguided vigilantism”, causing the 15-year-old to die in a crash, has been jailed for seven years.

Jude Nathan Francis, 26, was 25km/h over the speed limit when he tailed Mitchell Chase in Aubin Grove in December 2016, causing him to look over his shoulder at the offender’s Mercedes, go through a give-way sign and slam into another car.

Mitchell was thrown from the dirt bike and died in hospital the next day.

Francis wrongly suspected the boy was riding his stolen motorcycle. When he drove up to the intersection, he observed the bike wasn’t his and went home.

Denise Chase, the mother of Mitchell Chase, is comforted by family and friends outside court after the sentencing. Picture: AAP/Richard Wainwright

Wayne and Denise Chase, the parents of Mitchell Chase, speak to the media outside court. Picture: AAP/Richard Wainwright

He didn’t report the incident to police, although he told his parents the next day.

When officers came knocking, he confessed and was charged with three offences including manslaughter.

Francis was disqualified from driving at the time of the crash, having previously driven while his licence was suspended.

Mitchell Chase was killed after he looked over his shoulder at Jude Francis’ Mercedes, went through a give-way sign and his motorbike slammed into another car, the court heard. Picture: Channel 9

Supreme Court of Western Australia Justice Bruno Fiannaca noted Francis had consistently broken traffic laws, saying driving when he shouldn’t have that night was an aggravating factor.

Justice Fiannaca said a mitigating factor was Francis’ co-operation with police, although he lied about his two passengers, claiming they were hitchhikers.

Outside court, Mitchell’s grieving parents Wayne and Denise were surrounded by a big group of the teen’s friends, and said they didn’t want to give Francis any further thought.

“We want to be here, remember Mitch, represent Mitch, draw from his strength, our love of him and his love of life,” Mr Chase told reporters.

Mrs Chase sobbed as she said his life had been taken at too young an age.

“He had such a bright future ahead and we’re devastated to have lost him but we are happy with the outcome today,” she said.

“We struggle every day with the loss. Walking into an empty room or just smelling his clothes to try and feel him …

“To know that he was so scared — that’s part of my nightmares at night. “We just hope that this a lesson for anybody in the future that thinks of doing anything similar.” Francis will be eligible for parole after serving five years and will be banned from holding a driver’s licence for three years when he is released.

Mitchell had “such a bright future ahead”, his parents told reporters outside court. Picture: Facebook/Mitchell Chases

Originally published as “Misguided vigilantism’: Jail for WA driver over teen’s death crash