Parents' agony after daughter killed by drink-driver

The parents of a 17-year-old who died after an "intoxicated" driver lost control of his car have told of their heartbreak.

Jack Burkhill, 21, killed Felicity Pacey - a trainee financial advisor - in the 100mph (160km/h) crash on Belvoir Road, in Denton, Lincolnshire, on 9 June 2023.

Felicity's parents were the first to arrive on scene after her sister, who was also in the car, called them following the crash.

On Friday, at Lincoln Crown Court, Burkhill was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison and disqualified him from driving for over nine years.

Helen Pacey, Felicity’s mother, said: “Felicity, Fliss, our beautiful, intelligent, confident, thoughtful and caring girl who had her life panned out.

"My heart has been ripped out of my chest, stamped on, and put back in.

"I suffer with panic attacks when I think of Felicity not coming home."

She added: "We were first on the scene and had to start CPR on our child. No parent should ever have to do that.

“Seeing my baby girl lying on that verge, that lifeless body. I replay it every time I pass that scene."

Burkhill, of Seventh Avenue, Grantham, admitted causing Felicity's death by dangerous driving at a hearing on 25 April.

Prosecutor David Webster said Burkhill was "intoxicated to an extent that impaired his ability to drive safely".

He added that the defendant was "showing off" and had only had the car for two weeks when the crash happened.

There were three passengers in the grey Hyundai I30 when it was travelling from Woolsthorpe towards Denton, the court heard.

This included Felicity, her sister and another male friend.

The court heard the national speed limit (60mph/97km/h) applied to Belvoir Road.

Felicity’s sister, who was Burkhill’s girlfriend at the time, said: "It has left a gaping hole in my heart.

"I wake up every day hoping it was only a nightmare. It took weeks and weeks to even sleep in my own bed.

"The emptiness without her beside me is suffocating."

Addressing Burkhill in court, the sister added: "If only I had never met you."

Jonathan Pacey, Felicity’s father, said: "Felicity was our baby girl, the glue that held our family together.

"When she was little, I called her my teddy bear."

He added: "Wherever we went we would put music on and sing together in the car.

"At work I struggle when I’m alone and at night when I’m trying to sleep. I shouldn’t have to outlive my baby girl, it’s not fair.

"Jack has left us broken. I trusted him with our daughters. He has showed no remorse."

Felicity was the youngest of three siblings.