A ‘selfish’ and ‘cowardly’ drink driver who killed an innocent pedestrian and seriously injured two other people – then lied about it – will not have his sentence increased.

Shane Bovey, 41, fatally hit 48-year-old Nicole Bowden in Main Road, Mosterton, on February 8 after travelling at speeds of almost 70mph through the village.

He also seriously injured two other pedestrians, Emily Fox-Williams, aged 24 at the time, and an 11-month-old in the crash along the A3066. He then hid in a garden for three hours in a bid to evade police.

Yeovil man Bovey was jailed for 14 years at Bournemouth Crown Court on May 2 for his crimes, described as 'disgraceful' by judge William Mousley.

Following the sentencing, the Attorney General's office has confirmed that the length of the sentence cannot be referred to the Court of Appeal following an application.

The maximum sentence for those who cause death by dangerous driving was recently increased as of June 28, 2022.

From this date, defendants charged with this offence could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The previous maximum sentence was 14 years. 

Judge Mousley told Bovey that there were several aggravating factors in his case, including blatantly lying to the police about whether he was driving the car.

However the 41-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges against him, which counts as a mitigating factor when judges decide on punishments.

The Attorney General is chief legal adviser to the Crown Prosecution Service and makes references of unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal.

A spokesperson from the Attorney General’s office said they were 'shocked and saddened' by the Bovey case and wishes to 'express his sympathies to the whole family who have been left deeply affected'.

It added that after 'careful consideration' the Solicitor General, which supports the Attorney General, has concluded that this case 'cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.'

"A referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme to the Court of Appeal can only be made if a sentence is not just lenient but unduly so," the spokesperson said.

"Such that the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence.

"The threshold is a high one, and the test was not met in this case.”

Bovey must serve two thirds of his 14-year sentence and has also been disqualified from driving for a further 10 years after his release.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking the keys of his friend's dad's Mercedes and driving over the limit from Lyme Regis, where he had been drinking heavily on February 8.

He fled the scene after the crash and lied about his actions to police. 

Ms Bowden passed away in hospital in Bristol the next day on February 9 and the court was told at the May 2 sentencing that Ms Fox-Williams remained in hospital with life-changing injuries.

The 11-month-old child was discharged from the children's ward on February 15.

A fundraiser for the victims of the crash has raised more than £31,500.