A grieving mother has told of her heartbreak after finding out that an illegal migrant who killed her son could be released in just two years.
Phillip Bruce, 35, was fatally injured when a vehicle ploughed into the moped he was riding on August 1, 2025, in Ware, Hertfordshire.
The driver, Erald Kamberi, fled the scene, but officers caught up with him and he was arrested the following day.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving with no insurance before being sentenced to 10 years in prison last September.
There, Kamberi was told he would serve at least two-thirds of his sentence, before being considered for deportation upon his release.
However, now Phillip’s grieving mother Jennifer Dover said she has been told that her son’s killer could be released as soon as next year.
Under the government’s new early removal scheme, Kamberi could be deported to his home country, cutting his sentence short by 70 per cent.
Jennifer told the Daily Mail: ‘I am furious, I am absolutely devastated because the little justice he had has now been taken away.’
Phillip Bruce, 35, was killed when a driver ploughed into him while he was riding a moped last year
Phillip pictured with his fiancée Jenna March. The couple were due to be married in 2026
Erald Kamberi, 21, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Phillip in a hit-and-run crash
Following Kamberi’s sentencing, Detective Sergeant Ben Heath from Hertfordshire Police said he was ‘happy to see him sentenced for a long time’.
This sentiment, which was echoed by Judge Sheridan during a sentencing hearing at St Albans Crown Court, has left Jennifer devastated that her son’s killer could be set free.
Phillip was riding a blue Honda WW moped on Ware’s London Road when he was hit by a white Vauxhall Astra being driven by Kamberi.
Judge Sheridan told the court that the illegal migrant drove ‘like a lunatic to get away from officers, driving at high speed, on the wrong side of the road, with no driving license or insurance’.
He was banned from driving for 15 years.
On the day of Phillip’s death, Jennifer awoke to something every parent dreads – police knocking at the door.
She said: ‘They told me he had been in an accident and hadn’t made it.
‘Phil was so lovely. We were due to go to Legoland on the Friday after he died,’ the mother added.
Phillip was set to marry his childhood sweetheart and long-term fiancée Jenna March in 2026.
The couple both suffered from learning disabilities and were not able to have any children but had planned on spending their life together.
He worked as a kitchen assistant at a care home in Buntingford for patients suffering from dementia alongside his mother.
Phillip pictured with his mother Jennifer Dover, who said she is ‘devastated’ that her son’s killer could be released in two years
Phillip worked as a kitchen assistant alongside his mother at a care home for patients with dementia
Cooking was one of Phillip’s big passions in life, alongside music. He had taken courses to become a DJ and also enjoyed singing.
The 35-year-old’s family described him as being a huge part of the local community.
His mother said that when walking around the streets of Hertford and Ware, Phillip would often bump into people he knew and said he always had time for a chat with them.
‘He was a popular man whose personality was like a magnet to those around him,’ she said.
‘Phil was the oldest of three siblings. Growing up, he was inseparable from his sister Shona and brother Callum, and they would do everything together.
‘He was a wonderful big brother who loved his siblings and cared deeply for them.’
Jennifer said her son ‘could light up any room’, adding that his ‘laughter was contagious’.
‘He was a rainbow who would always make the best out of any situation,’ she added.
‘He always made time for others, and if anyone had an issue, Phil would sit with you and listen, offer advice or just a shoulder to lean on. He was so caring and always knew how to cheer someone up.’
‘Phil had a moped and went everywhere on it, including taking himself to seaside places and Phil used to love ringing his mum and telling her where he had taken himself and what he was up to.’
Phillip pictured with his sister Shona (left) and his mother Jennifer Dover
Jenna’s mother Carol March spoke about her daughter’s pain of losing her long-term partner.
She said: ‘It’s so difficult to put into words the pain that we are going through with the loss of Phillip.
‘My daughter Jenna has been going out with Phillip for over 20 years, and she is totally devastated by what happened and I don’t know how she is ever going to get over it.
‘As a family we cannot accept what has happened and you never expect a young man to be taken from you just like that. The void that has been created will never be filled.
‘Phillip had an amazing personality and was a character in his own special way. His presence will be greatly missed forever. We all loved you and you have left us all with broken hearts.’
Phillip was part of Always Bee You, a charity that enables adults with learning disabilities to socialise, make friends, gain work opportunities and learn life skills.
Jo, the CEO of the charity, said: ‘We are so sad about Phil, he was a wonderful man and will be missed so much by his friends at Always Bee You. Phil loved coming out on our day trips to London, he learnt DJ skills and volunteered at our Café in The Priory in Ware.
‘He even helped write a song and performed with Always Bee You. He had a great voice and enjoyed singing.
‘Phil was always positive, had a good sense of humour and worked so hard to improve his life. He was proud of his achievements at work and always made time to help others. Phil was an inspiration and a joy to be with.
‘He will be greatly missed by all his friends at Always Bee You.’
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The death of Phillip Bruce was an avoidable tragedy, and we can only begin to imagine the pain his family and friends are carrying.
‘Mr Kamberi poses a clear risk to public safety, and we, as in all cases, have worked tirelessly to secure his deportation. He will join nearly 50,000 people with no right to remain who have been deported or removed from the United Kingdom by this government.’
