The Court of Appeal in London increased the prison sentence of 21-year-old Liberty Mitchell on July 28, 2026, extending her term to nine years and three months following a deadly high-speed collision in Gloucestershire.
Mitchell was originally sentenced in February at Gloucester Crown Court to six years and eight months in prison.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing death while uninsured, and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC referred the original punishment to the appellate tribunal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
This led to a two-year and seven-month sentence enhancement.
The fatal incident occurred on December 2, 2022, on the B4425 at Riversmeet North near Aldsworth.
Mitchell attempted to overtake three vehicles simultaneously in a Mini Cooper while traveling at 96 mph in a 60 mph zone.
Her vehicle struck an oncoming Seat Leon taxi, killing 35-year-old history teacher Moyra Whelan and taxi driver Octavian Codreanu.
Six other people were injured, three of them severely.
Police investigations revealed Mitchell had passed her driving test just three weeks before the crash.
She had posted Snapchat videos showing herself speeding at 100 mph and swerving into oncoming traffic days prior to the incident.
In addition to her prison term, Mitchell received an eight-year and four-month driving ban. She must pass an extended test before regaining her license.
"Liberty Mitchell's reckless actions behind the wheel claimed the lives of two people and left many others with life-changing injuries," said Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC.
Reeves extended her condolences to the victims' families and highlighted the danger posed by the offender's recorded actions on social media.
"My deepest sympathies go to the loved ones of Octavian Codreanu and Moyra Whelan, and to all those whose lives have been devastated by this tragedy," said Reeves.
Reeves praised the emergency personnel who responded to the scene and expressed support for the higher court's ruling.
"I welcome the Court of Appeal's decision to increase her sentence, and I pay tribute to the emergency services who treated the injured at the scene," said Reeves.
Law enforcement officials emphasized the lasting impact of the crash on the victims and praised the patience of the affected families during the judicial proceedings.
"This case was due to go to trial, and I'm pleased that Mitchell pleaded guilty and has now been sentenced," said Sergeant Williams of the Serious Collision Investigation Team.
Williams noted that the date of the collision remains deeply ingrained in the memory of the victims, witnesses, and responding officers.
"Her actions tragically killed taxi driver Octavian Codreanu and his passenger, school teacher Moyra Whelan, as well as seriously injuring three others," said Williams.
The collision investigation team acknowledged the community members who assisted injured parties at the crash site immediately following the multi-vehicle event.
"Friday 2 December 2022 is a day that will be ingrained in not only the minds of the families who lost a loved one, but also the numerous victims who have suffered horrendous injuries and who are still recovering today, as well as the large number of witnesses who stopped to help and whose lives have also been affected," said Williams.
"Our thoughts remain with those who have suffered loss and injuries, and I'd like to thank the families of everyone involved in the collision for their patience and bravery during what has been a lengthy process," said Williams.
