James Ashman jailed for Ben Wright's death in Ipswich

Sentencing James Ashman, who  had been delivering cannabis to customers on the night of  the crash in which father-of-two Benjamin Wright died, Judge Martyn Levett said he had been “needlessly" killed by Ashman, who was driving at twice the 30mph speed limit.

He said if Ashman had been driving within the 30mph speed limit in Vernon Street, Ipswich, where the collision occurred, 35-year-old Mr Wright would still be alive.

“It was solely your fault he died,” said the judge.

Ben Wright died after Ashman's car crashed into him in Ipswich. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

There were emotional scenes in the court's public gallery from members of Mr Wright's family who cheered loudly when they heard Judge Levett say Ashman would have to serve at least two thirds of his sentence.

Ashman, of Lower Harlings, Shotley Gate, had denied causing the death of Mr Wright by dangerous driving in October 2022 but was found guilty in July after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

He admitted failing to stop after an accident and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Floral tributes left at the scene following Mr Wright's death. (Image: Archant)

The court heard that Ashman, who didn't stop at the scene of the crash, had previous convictions for drug driving in 2017 and driving a BMW sport at 105mph in a 70mph limit on the A14 at Creeting St Mary in 2019.

In addition to being jailed for 14 years for the death by dangerous driving charge, he was jailed for one year to be served consecutively for being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

He was also banned from driving for 18 years.

Police at the scene following the crash in 2022. (Image: Newsquest)

Also before the court was Alfie Hedges, 27, of Chelmondiston, who admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 80 hours of unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £500 costs.

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, victim impact statements were read to the court by Amy Chambers, the mother of Mr Wright's twins, and his sister Natasha Wright in which they described the devastating affect his death had had on them.

In a statement read to the court Mr Wright’s father Mark Wright described his son’s “handsome face and infectious smile” and said no words could describe how the family had been affected by his death and the “selfish acts” which had caused it.

A cordon was in place in Vernon Street following the crash in October 2022. (Image: Archant)

During his trial the court heard that 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 Hedge's parents' address in Chelmondiston where around two kilos of cannabis and £5,000 cash were found. 

Ashman 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.

The court heard that messages found on Ashman's phone showed he'd been involved in drug dealing on the night of the fatal crash.

Police also found a video on his phone of Ashman with cannabis boasting that despite a drought "business was booming".

Giving evidence during his trial 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."

Rachel Darby, for Ashman, said her client was devastated by his actions which had caused the loss of Mr Wright's life and the loss to his family and loved ones.

She said he'd been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression since the collision.

She said that character references described her client as "kind and caring".

She said Ashman had received death threats since Mr Wright's death and these threats had extended to his time in prison.

Nicola May, for Hedges, said he had admitted being concerned in the  supply of cannabis on the basis he had agreed to be custodian of a bag of cannabis left at his parents’ house.

She said he’d  taken steps to become drug free and had been assessed as being at a low risk of reoffending.