James Ashman found guilty of Ipswich cyclist's death

James Ashman of Lower Harlings, Shotley Gate, had denied causing the death of cyclist Benjamin Wright by dangerous driving but was found guilty on Thursday after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

Police at the scene of the crash in Vernon Street. (Image: Newsquest)

Following the jury's verdict the court heard that Ashman, who didn't stop at the scene of the accident or report it, has previous convictions for drug driving in 2017 and driving at 105mph in a 70mph limit at Creeting St Mary in 2019 and is currently awaiting sentence for being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Judge Martyn Levett passed an interim driving ban on Ashman and ordered that he should be subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 6am and 6pm.

He adjourned sentencing until September 9 and asked the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence on Ashman to consider the issue of dangerousness.

Ben Wright died following the crash in Vernon Street in Ipswich. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

Thirty-five-year-old Mr Wright died at the scene of a crash in Vernon Street just before 10pm on October 13, 2022.

Ashman had been driving an Audi between 50 and 60mph in a 30mph limit and had been speaking to his girlfriend via a hands-free call at the time of the crash.

After the collision, he took a rucksack from the boot of the car and left the scene, before going to his girlfriend's address nearby.

When he arrived, he told her he had been in a crash and she advised him to return to the scene. 

He left and was seen running along Wherstead Road, where he flagged down a cyclist and offered him £40 for his bicycle, which the man accepted.

Ashman then went to the nearby Premier Shop, where he told the owner, who was known to him, that his car had been stolen at knifepoint and asked for a lift to Chelmondiston.

Police discovered Ashman later that night hiding behind a shed at a friend’s address in Chelmondiston. 

He had changed his clothes and the clothes he had been wearing at the time of the collision were later discovered in a bag in a garage at the property.

Giving evidence Ashman told the court: “I’m so sorry. I should’ve stayed at the scene, but I didn’t and I can’t change it.”

“If I could go back and change things I would. I was terrified and scared. I was in a sheer state of fear. I just wish I could’ve seen him."