A HEARTBROKEN family have made a public plea for motorists to cut their speed after the teenager whose dangerous driving killed their daughter was jailed for five-and-a-half-years.

Natalia Wiley, a 16-year-old from Pickering, died in a smash on the A170 at Snainton in January this year.

Robert Turnbull, 19, pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving when he appeared at York Crown Court today.

As well as being jailed he was banned from driving for seven years and will have to take an extended driving test.

The court heard that Turnbull, of Wrelton, near Pickering, had been driving too fast and in a dangerous manner when he lost control and crashed with Natalia in the front passenger seat of his car.

Traffic Sergeant Neil Campbell said after the case: "I hope it sends a wake-up call to dangerous and speeding drivers, and that they fully understand the grief and devastation that their actions can cause.

"Speed limits and motoring laws are in place for a reason and no case can illustrate this more than this tragedy.”

A statement issued by the dead girl’s family said: "A gap has been left in all the lives of Natalia's family and friends that can never be filled, no matter how much time passes.

"We have been reliably informed that had the speed limit been adhered to then this collision would probably never happened.

"The fact is, speed kills.

“So if you want to do anything in the memory of a beautiful, happy caring young woman, please drive carefully and stick within the speed limits.”