Liberty Mitchell, a 21-year-old driver from Chipping Norton, has had her prison sentence increased following an appeal after she caused a fatal car crash in Gloucestershire. Originally sentenced to six years and eight months, Mitchell’s term was extended by two years and seven months, bringing the total to nine years and three months. This change was made after the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
The court heard that on 2 December 2022, Mitchell was driving towards Aldsworth when she attempted to overtake three vehicles on the wrong side of the road at nearly 100mph, despite the speed limit being 60mph. This dangerous manoeuvre led to a collision with a taxi, causing a multi-vehicle pile-up.
Tragically, the taxi driver, Octavian Codreanu, died at the scene. His passenger, history teacher Moyra Whelan, suffered life-threatening injuries and later passed away at Southmead Hospital. Six other people were injured in the crash, three seriously.
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At the time of the crash, Mitchell was driving between cleaning jobs in her capacity as a self-employed domestic cleaner. Her motor insurance did not cover business use or the extent of her driving on that day.
Police investigations uncovered videos on Mitchell’s social media accounts showing her driving dangerously, including speeding at 100mph and veering into oncoming traffic.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP commented: “Liberty Mitchell’s reckless actions behind the wheel claimed the lives of two people and left many others with life-changing injuries. 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. The offender had previously filmed herself speeding and shared it on social media, showing disregard for the danger she posed to others. 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.”
Mitchell pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court on 13 February 2026 to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing death whilst uninsured, and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. She was also disqualified from driving for eight years and four months and must pass an extended driving test before regaining her licence.
Following the appeal hearing on 28 July 2026, the Court of Appeal increased her sentence to nine years and three months’ imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of her offences and the impact on the victims and their families.