Two brothers who killed a woman days before her wedding when they raced each other along a dangerous road were jailed yesterday.

Bradley and Marcus Barney sped past up to 50 cars, travelling as fast as 70mph, before forcing Carol Tegg to swerve into the path of an oncoming bus. The 26-year-old bride-to-be was killed instantly as her car burst into flames. Dozens of passengers had to flee the burning bus.

At Oxford Crown Court yesterday the brothers admitted causing death by dangerous driving. Bradley Barney was sentenced to eight years and Marcus Bradley to seven years. Both were banned from driving for seven years.

The court was told how the brothers changed their pleas to guilty after their grandfather was killed by a speeding motorist. Ms Tegg was driving home from work, where colleagues had bid her good luck for her wedding, which was to be held four days later.

The court was told how the Bradleys and their father were returning from visiting another brother, Curtis, at Reading Young Offender Institution, when the young men decided to race along a notoriously dangerous stretch of the A4074 to Oxford. Statements were read out from motorists who were passed by the brothers and were horrified by their driving and feared for their safety.

David Robinson, for the prosecution, told the court about the reckless overtaking manoeuvres that the brothers were seen performing.

Mr Robinson said: “The Barneys took it upon themselves to drive their cars in a manner which was dangerous, suicidal, reckless and totally mad.”

Mr Robinson then described to the court how the brothers tried to conceal their crime.

Bradley Barney cancelled his insurance and Marcus put his vehicle in storage. Both, in mitigation, chose to address the court and public gallery to express their remorse.

Ms Tegg’s mother, Diane, and other relatives walked out of the court while they made their tearful pleas.

Bradley Barney sobbed loudly as he apologised “from the bottom of his heart” before sitting down in the dock and burying his head in his hands.

Marcus Barney told relatives of his anguish before turning to the public gallery, holding his hands out and saying: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Marcus Barney, 23, also admitted failing to supply information and driving without insurance in relation to the fatal crash when he stood before Judge Julian Hall yesterday.

Bradley Barney, 24, admitted failing to supply information, failure to stop and failure to report an accident. The court was told that he also had one previous conviction of driving while disqualified.

In sentencing the brothers, Judge Hall described the pair as “habitual racers” and said that the death of Miss Tegg near Woodcote, Oxfordshire, on July 31 last year was “waiting to happen”. He told them: “A young woman just about to get married was killed. You put Miss Tegg in an impossible situation. She braked, lost control under no fault of her own she lost her life. In my judgment this case falls in the most serious culpability range.”

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