Despite pleas for leniency from her family, a 24-year-old man has been jailed for two years for killing his girlfriend in a drink-drive accident after she distracted him with a “kiss”.
Benjamin Hughes, a self-employed plumber, had been drinking beer and shots before driving home with his girlfriend Dominique Wright, a student at the University of Leeds studying her masters degree.
They were halfway through the journey when Hughes strayed off the road and into a ditch before crashing into a tree on 30 October. He was arrested and found to have 141mcg alcohol per 110ml blood – almost twice the legal limit.
Ms Wright’s family delivered an emotional plea to Nottingham Crown Court, however, asking that he be spared jail as he was like a “son” to them.
Martin Elwick, defending Hughes, said he had made a “fateful, tragic decision” to drive and he lost someone he “loved dearly” as a result of the crash.
He added that the family hoped he would be shown leniency as he was an “integral part of the grieving process”.
Judge John Burgess told Hughes, however, that while he may have “never intended” any harm to Ms Wright, his actions resulted in her sustaining “fatal injuries”.
While he acknowledged the family’s pleas, he stated that the courts needed to remind the public of the “terrible consequences of drink-driving“.
“We have to take account of the broader picture. Just as our sentences cannot be entirely determined by the views of people seeking maximum sentences, neither can they be entirely determined by pleas for mercy,” he added.
“My job is to look at the whole picture and try to pass a sentence that reflects not only the wrong you have done, but also the harm you have caused.”
In addition to the two-year sentence, he was also banned from driving for four years.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
