TWO young drivers were convicted this afternoon of death by dangerous driving after 16-year-old Sian Ryan was killed on the A14 near Ipswich.

Gavin Sahota, 19, of Stewart Young Close, Kesgrave, and Perri Daniel, 20, of Upper Cavendish Street, Ipswich, were found guilty following their trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

Sian, of Alan Road, Ipswich, died on August 17 last year near the Nacton turn-off when she was a passenger in a Citroen Saxo driven by Daniel, which left the carriageway and hit a road sign.

After their convictions Sahota and Daniel were told by the court that they were likely to receive custodial sentences.

Their sentencing was adjourned until week commencing July 5.

Speaking after today’s verdicts, Sian’s mother Chrissie said: “It was the most traumatic event of my life to lose Sian to two inexperienced, crazy drivers. I wouldn’t want another family to go through it.”

Pc Andrew Fossey, of the Serious Collision Investigation Team welcomed the verdict.

He said the death of Sian should send a stark message to other young drivers.

“What we had was a group of youngsters who were driving inappropriately through naivety,” he said. “What seemed like fun to them in a fraction of a second became a tragedy.

“That is all it takes on the road, travelling at those speeds of between 70mph and 80mph like we heard in court, it takes a split second and things can go drastically wrong.

“Look at what has happened here today, the main thing is the tragic loss of Sian and the affect that has had not just on her family but a huge number of people who knew her.

“And the two young people in the dock today and the affect it will have on them and their families.”