Man jailed after father of three killed in Morecambe collision
Friday, October 24, 2025
A man has today been jailed after causing the death of a 'loveable rogue with a kind heart' in a collision in Morecambe.
Wayne Putley (pictured below) was an award-winning dry stone waller with a passion for the outdoors he also had a love for animals, especially dogs.
Mr Putley, a 50-year-old father of three, was a passenger in a taxi which was hit by a stolen Fiat Punto driven by Jez Shepherd on Westgate in Morecambe in August this year.
Mr Putley suffered serious injuries and despite the best efforts of emergency services, was sadly pronounced dead at hospital.
Shepherd, 23, had stolen the Punto earlier that day and driven around Morecambe at speed. He also made off without paying for fuel from a garage, was more than twice the drink drive limit and was high on drugs.
Just before the collision he had been driving at almost 90mph in a 30mph zone.
Shepherd, of Green Street, Morecambe earlier admitted causing death by dangerous driving, burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, making off without payment, and causing death by driving where the driver was unlicensed and uninsured.
He appeared at Preston Crown Court today (Friday, October 24th) where he was sentenced to 15 years, 12 years of which will be served in custody, where he will have to serve a minimum of eight until he is eligible to apply for parole. He will be subject to an extended license period of three years.
Shepherd has also been disqualified from driving for 16 years and will have to take an extended driving test before he can hold a license again.
In a statement Mr Putley’s family said Wayne was known for his kind heart and would never turn anybody away who was in need of help, he worked locally at the homeless shelter and helped out at the church.
When he wasn’t at work, he was out enjoying himself DJ’ing online on the weekends, paddleboarding, being outdoors and most of all off-road motorbiking.
The family said Wayne’s death had shattered the family and left a massive hole that could not be filled.
Wayne’s sister Jeanette, to whom he was very close, also sadly died earlier this year (she is pictured with Wayne)
They said the tragedy was completely avoidable. The reckless action that Mr Shepherds took, with absolute disregard for anything or anyone on that day is unbelievable. They described the car as a deadly weapon in Mr Shepherds’ hands.
Senior Investigating Officer Sgt Martin Wilcock, of our Specialist Operations team, said:” First and foremost my thoughts today are with Mr Putley’s family who have lost a clearly very well-loved man in tragic circumstances. I want to thank them for conducting themselves with dignity throughout these proceedings.
“Jez Shepherd was clearly intoxicated and drove a stolen car at incredibly dangerous speeds before colliding with the taxi in which Mr Putley was a passenger with tragic and catastrophic consequences.
“No sentence can ever bring a loved one back or make up for the loss of a life, but I hope that this significant jail term gives Mr Putley’s loved ones some sense that justice has been served and gives Mr Shepherd time to reflect on his devastating actions on that fateful day.”
