A man who left his girlfriend to die following a car crash in Epping was caught behind the wheel again after his release from prison.
Nathan Towers caused the death of Jess Waterman, 20, by careless driving on Houblons Hill, Epping, in February 2022, London Now reports.
Towers, of Broadoaks, Epping, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison in June 2023 but has since been released on licence.
Last Wednesday (March 4) he was behind the wheel of a car on the A127 in Southend despite being disqualified from driving.
The 33-year-old appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court the following day where he received a six-month prison sentence.
In February 2022 police received four 999 calls from a man who claimed he had come across a single car crash in which the passenger was badly injured.
A woman was found by officers in the passenger seat of a red Mini.
She had sustained a head injury and was unresponsive and nobody else was present.
Jess, who was three days away from her 21st birthday, was taken to hospital where she died.
Police traced Towers on the night of the crash to his home where the washing machine was running a cycle of muddy clothes.
After his arrest, his mobile phone was found hidden between the bed slats.
The mobile number matched that used to call police.
During an interview, Towers told the investigating officers he had bought the car a few days earlier, but claimed a friend was driving that evening.
Police say doorbell footage showed Towers arriving to pick Jess up earlier in the evening and the red Mini could be seen in the background. It recorded him arriving in the clothing recovered from the washing machine.
Towers was charged with causing death by careless driving and perverting the course of justice, fraud by false representation - giving false details to an insurance company - and causing death whilst unlicenced and uninsured.
When he was sentenced in 2023, Jess’ family said: “Today we have seen some justice for our beloved daughter Jess, but we can never forgive or forget the cold, calm and calculated actions of Nathan Towers.
“We trusted he would keep her safe that night.
“Jess was going to turn 21 three days after the accident. She had been looking forward to celebrating her milestone birthday with her family and friends, but all arrangements had to be cancelled. The pain is indescribable. We wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
“Our Jess was a beautiful, vibrant, and caring young woman who had touched the lives of so many.
“No length of sentence will ever feel enough as nothing can bring her back. She was our light, and our world is a darker place without her. We will always love you, Jess. #TeamJess”
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