Two men jailed for killing 'one of a kind' woman

Two men who were racing each other before a fatal crash have been jailed for killing a woman described as "one of a kind".

Alfie Cook, 22, and Lewis Glasby, 23, both from Warminster in Wiltshire, admitted causing death by dangerous driving after Ella Cook, 26, died in a crash on the A36 in Claverton, near Bath, on 15 April 2023.

At Bristol Crown Court on 10 April, Cook, who is not related to Ella, was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison. Glasby received a nine-year sentence.

Ella's fiancée, Kai Poa-Tams, said: "The world feels immeasurably emptier without her," describing her as a "deeply loving partner, daughter, sister and friend".

Kai said Ella, who lived in Warminster, was "truly one of a kind".

She was "warm, loving, creative, and full of life" with a "natural way of bringing people together", said Kai, adding: "Her kindness left a lasting mark on everyone lucky enough to know her."

She added that her fiancée, who worked at NHS Blood and Transplant, "gave herself completely to the people she cared about".

"In a way that feels both heart-breaking and extraordinary, her work came full circle - she received donated blood after the collision, blood that she herself had helped process earlier that very day.

"That was Ella - giving to others, right until the very end."

"We were going to get married, to build a home, and to raise children of our own," said Kai.

"We dreamed of sharing time with her parents, and with her brother and sisters' children, creating a life full of closeness and joy.

"We fell more in love every day, and every day we felt lucky to have each other. I would give anything for just one more day with her."

Glasby, of The Beeches, and Cook, of Brook Street, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Both men will be disqualified from driving for five years upon their release from prison and will need to pass an extended test before regaining their licence.

Designated investigating officer Emma Ling, of Avon and Somerset Police, said the pair had been driving well in excess of the speed limit before the crash.

"Both men deliberately ignored the speed limits and drove dangerously along a busy A-road, with seemingly little thought of the tragic consequences that could, and sadly did, happen."

She added: "Our thoughts are with Ella's family, who have been left devastated by what has happened."

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