AN ESSEX woman who was sent to a young offenders institute after admitting causing a crash on the Isle of Wight that left a woman dead has had her sentence increased.

Yaashmi Ravikumar, 20, was visiting the Isle of Wight with friends in April 2019.

On April 14, she drove herself and her friends to the coast.

After failing to see signs indicating that there was a junction ahead, Ravikumar drove into the junction.

She did not brake in time and collided with a bus, which in turn veered into an oncoming car.

Yvonne Copland, 64, was killed in the incident and three others sustained life-changing injuries. The bus driver was also seriously injured.

Read more here: Hole in our lives: Forest Road crash victim's husband as woman sentenced

Ravikumar was sentenced to 18 months’ detention in a young offender’s institution on July 13, 2020, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, today (Friday) the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to two years and four months’ detention in a young offender’s institution.

After the hearing the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said: “Ravikumar’s driving and lack of attention to road signs caused the death of one person and serious injuries to several others.

"I am pleased the Court of Appeal has increased her sentence today to reflect the severity of the impact of her actions.”