Nathan Towers has been caught driving while disqualified four years after he crashed his car and left 20-year-old Jess Waterman fatally injured at the scene
A man who crashed his car and left his fatally injured girlfriend at the scene has been caught behind the wheel again after his prison release.
Nathan Towers, 33, caused the death of 20-year-old Jess Waterman on Houblons Hill, Epping, in February 2022 by careless driving. The unlicensed and uninsured driver was also convicted of perverting the course of justice and fraud.
Jess, from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, sadly died in hospital less than 24 hours after the accident and just three days before her 21st birthday. She was described by her family as a “beautiful, vibrant, and caring young woman”.
Towers, of Broadoaks, Epping, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison in June 2023 but has since been released on licence.
Last Wednesday (on March 4), he was caught behind the wheel of a car on the A127 in Southend despite being disqualified from driving. Towers, of Broadoaks, Epping, was handed a six-month prison sentence at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on March 5.
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He was also disqualified from driving for six months and 21 days and ordered to pay £85 in costs as well as a £154 victim surcharge.
Jess’ family have spoken of their fury after learning that Towers – who spent just 20 months behind bars – was caught speeding and sent back to prison.
“He has demonstrated that no lessons have been learned after taking the life of our precious daughter and after behaving in such an abhorrent way,” they said. “He was to serve the rest of his sentence ‘on licence’ out into the community until August 2027. But last week he was caught speeding and recalled to prison.
“Nathan Towers has never sat a driving test nor even passed his theory test.. We class him as highly dangerous to have ever got behind a wheel.
“He has no regard for other road users; he clearly believes that he is entitled to drive and thus completely above the law.”
Inspector Mark Fraser, Serious Collision Investigation Unit, who led the investigation, previously said: “That night, after losing control of his vehicle in a collision which tragically caused Jess to lose her life, he callously and selfishly fled the scene to avoid arrest, with no regard for Jess or her injuries.
“Following a thorough investigation, he pleaded guilty to all the offences and has been sentenced for those matters, finally facing justice for his actions.”
Jess’ family described their daughter as a “beautiful, vibrant, and caring young woman who had touched the lives of so many. No length of sentence will ever feel enough as nothing can bring her back. She was our light, and our world is a darker place without her. We will always love you, Jess.”
The family have been campaigning tirelessly for tougher punishments against unlicensed driving with the support of their local MP, Josh Dean.
They said: “We believe unlicensed driving needs to be seen as dangerous driving in its own right and are lobbying for it to be recognised in the same category as drink- and drug-driving.”
The family continued: “Driving is widely considered one of the most dangerous daily activities, primarily due to the high-speed operation of heavy machinery, human error and the unpredictability of other drivers.
“Therefore, passing a driving test ensures you have developed the necessary safety, competence and mental stamina to handle the road alone. It serves as a final check to ensure you are not a danger to yourself or others.
“The current deterrents for first offending without a licence are points on a licence and disqualification. This makes little difference to somebody who has no full licence in the first place.
“We believe in the introduction of stronger and more proportionate penalties for unlicensed driving.”
Mr Dean, the Labour MP for Hertford and Stortford, said: “This case demonstrates the need for tougher penalties to keep those who cause death while driving without a licence off the road.”
