Police uncover twisted truth after grieving family contacted by son's 'killer'

A man who falsely claimed to be involved in the death of a 17-year-old hit-and-run victim has been jailed. David Brown caused 'considerable and unnecessary stress' to the grieving family of Dylan Price when he contacted them over Facebook Messenger.

The 61-year-old used a fake name when he contacted Dylan's relative in July 2022 and said he was involved in the teen's death. He was arrested two months later on suspicion of sending malicious communications and causing death by dangerous driving.

West Mercia Police said following an investigation, officers were "satisfied" Brown was not involved with the teen's death in the early hours of September 19, 2021 - the day before his 18th birthday. He was hit by a vehicle on the B4385 Brampton Road in Bishop’s Castle as he made his way home from celebrations with friends. No one has yet been charged with Dylan's death but the investigation continues.

READ MORE: Crossbow victim's boyfriend's devastating six words as he pays tribute to 'brave queen'

Brown, of Oak Meadow in Bishop’s Castle, was subsequently charged with two counts of sending malicious communications and pleaded guilty to the charges at Telford Magistrates' Court on November 1, 2022. He then withdrew his guilty plea, which was later dismissed by the court, and was sentenced to 15 months in prison at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday, July 11.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Jo Delahay, from West Mercia Police, said: “This has caused considerable and unnecessary stress to Dylan’s family during their time of grief, and I welcome the sentence that has been handed to Brown today by magistrates. Claiming to be involved in someone’s death when you were not only wastes police time and could hinder the investigation, but to then contact a grieving family with these claims is unacceptable.

"I would like to reassure the public that we thoroughly looked in to Brown’s claims and after investigating them, we are satisfied he was not involved.”

Anyone with any information that could assist the police investigation is urged to call 101, quoting incident 140 of 19 September, 2021.