A DRIVER who caused the death of three people including a young child in a fatal crash near Worcester has today been jailed for 18 years. 

Joe-Lewis Tyler had already admitted causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal crash near Worcester which killed three people, including a six-year-old boy.

The 34-year-old of Grenville Road, Dines Green, Worcester, was jailed for 18 years before when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court before Judge James Burbidge KC, sitting at 2pm.

He must serve two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole.

JAILED: Joe-Lewis Tyler who was jailed today at Worcester Crown Court JAILED: Joe-Lewis Tyler who was jailed today at Worcester Crown Court (Image: West Mercia Police)

He was also disqualified from driving for 17 years.

Tyler admitted the offences on Monday, July 15 following the crash on February 22 which killed six-year-old Leo Painter, Claire Adkins, aged 39, and Courtney Hemming, aged 26. Tyler also admitted three counts of causing death whilst uninsured.

The crash happened at about 3pm when a grey BMW 3 series collided with a white Ford Mondeo.

TRAGEDY: The scene of the fatal crash on February 22 which resulted in the closure of the A44 Spetchley Road in Worcester  (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Claire Adkins and Courtney Hemming, both from Worcester, died at the scene when the white Ford Mondeo, which they were travelling in, was in collision with a grey BMW 3 series.

Six-year-old Leo Painter, also in the Mondeo, was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital but died a short time later.

The court heard he was driving at 90mph on the 50mph stretch of road and was over the limit for alcohol, cocaine and cannabis.

His mum Gemma remembered Leo as a wonderful little boy.

She said in a previous statement: "He always had a smile on his face and was a bundle of fun. I’m heartbroken that I won’t see him again."

Many at the time came to lay flowers and leave personal messages at the scene of a fatal crash.