THE devastated ex-boyfriend of a mum who was killed by her new lover driving off a bridge has slammed his jail sentence as a "joke."
Connor McCarthy, 25, described his ex Danielle Andrews, as “a beautiful, loving person“ after she died in the wreckage following a terrifying early morning smash on the Coryton interchange in Cardiff.
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Connor and Danielle were in a relationship in 2019 - and he has now paid tribute to his ex-girlfriend Credit: Facebook 7
The mum was described as a 'vivacious and intelligent young woman' Credit: WNS
Mum-of-four Danielle died as her cocaine-fuelled boyfriend Andrew Vowles failed to stop his VW Golf at a red light as he drove at up to 64mph in November 2020.
He then ploughed the car off the 22ft bridge - killing the mum in the horror crash.
Danielle's ex-partner, shop worker Connor, paid tribute to the "devoted" mum who died in the bridge plunge.
He also added he was "horrified" at Vowles' sentence - slamming it as a "joke."
Vowles was jailed for seven years and six months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving - but may get out on parole after serving half the time.
Speaking to The Sun Online, Connor said: “Danielle was a really lovely person.
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“She was incredibly loving and devoted to her four children.
“Those kids were her life."
Connor went out with Danielle for several months in 2019, but their relationship ended and they went their separate ways.
The 25-year-old said: “I was very upset at the time, but what could I do?
"I decided it was best if we went our separate ways at that point, but she was such a lovely woman it was impossible for me to hold onto any ill-feeling towards her.“
Speaking about Danielle's boyfriend - who drove the car off the bridge during a cocaine binge - Connor said: “I was absolutely horrified when I saw how light a prison sentence this man was given for causing her death.
"This idiot has killed her and left her children motherless.
"Yet he will be out of jail within four years, most likely. It is a joke. He’d better hope I never bump into him.”
'NO JUSTICE’
The court heard footage from roadside cameras showed Vowles failing to slow down as he approached the lights, with the car then hitting the kerb before travelling over two lanes of traffic and plunging.
He then smashed through an overpass barrier - causing the vehicle to hurtle through the air after he made "no attempt to brake."
Her family have blasted Vowles for "betraying her trust" as he has shown "no remorse" for his devastating actions.
In a victim impact statement, Danielle's family said: "Danielle was a vivacious and intelligent young woman.
"Danielle put her trust in Andrew Vowles when she got into the car with him that night but he betrayed her trust.
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She was a 'devoted' mum, according to her ex-boyfriend Connor Credit: WNS 7
Mum-of-four Danielle died in the wreckage on the Coryton interchange in Cardiff Credit: WNS "Andrew Vowles' disgraceful behaviour has not only robbed Danielle of her future but has robbed her children the opportunity to know their mother.
"She deserved better."
Danielle's family also said they had not received any "expression of regret" from Vowles.
They also haven't received an explanation as to why he suddenly accelerated off the road bridge.
Defending Owen Williams said Vowles is "truly remorseful" for his actions.
He said: "He knows that he has ruined lives and has taken a life."
Judge Richard Williams said: "It can't be said there is genuine remorse in this case as opposed to self pity.
"This was as clear a case of dangerous driving as can be."
The court heard the car was travelling at around 43mph through the air before it crashed into large trees and landed on its roof 75ft ahead.
Danielle, 28, was left "cocooned" in the car wearing a seatbelt while Vowles walked to the hard shoulder of the A470.
The court heard Vowles had nine points on his licence at the time of the crash - and was not wearing his seatbelt.
Blood tests revealed he was over five times the legal limit for drugs after being tested positive for cocaine.
The couple had checked out of the Park Inn hotel at 3.43am before driving on the roads at "grossly excessive speeds" in heavy rain.
The court heard text messages which revealed Vowles had been asking to pick up cocaine from a dealer at 4.01am.
'RUINED LIVES'
But just five minutes later, the car was then captured on camera on the 40mph slip road before running the red light.
Vowles lied to police after the crash and claimed there had been up to four people inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Vowles, of Caerphilly, South Wales, was also banned from driving for eight years and nine months - and will have to take an extended driving test.
Leighton Mawer of the CPS said: “Andrew Vowles made a decision to drive in the manner he did and bears responsibility for what happened.
"It was his actions that resulted in a young woman having her life taken so tragically.
“Our thoughts remain with Danielle’s family and friends who have suffered a terrible loss.”
If you have been affected by issues raised, Women’s Aid provides a live chat service - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm. You can also call the freephone 24-hour -National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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Cocaine-fuelled Vowles failed to stop his VW Golf at a red light as he drove at up to 64mph Credit: Athena 7
Vowles was driving at up to 64mph when he zoomed through a red light Credit: Athena 7
The car smashed into a tree and landed on its roof Credit: Athena