The family of a Suffolk man killed in a crash caused by a drink-driver have called for tougher sentencing to reflect the heartache suffered by grieving loved ones.
Ben Fulcher, 21, from Needham Market, was killed when the car he was travelling in crashed near to a bridge on the B1078 in Coddenham.
The driver, Josh Caines, 23, of Kingshill Road in Swindon – formerly from the Witnesham area – was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today to three years in prison.
He was also banned from driving for three-and-a-half years.
Caines admitted causing the death of Mr Fulcher while over the prescribed alcohol limit earlier this week.
Police had been called at 11.10am on October 15, 2016, to reports Caines’ red Mini had left the road.
Officers attended and found Mr Fulcher in the car, which had ended up in a ditch.
He died at the scene.
Caines, was arrested at the scene at 1.30pm in connection with the incident. Officers believe that the collision took place sometime in the early hours of Saturday morning.
After today’s court case Mr Fulcher’s family issued a statement calling for tougher sentences for drink drivers.
“The sentence given in court today will never reflect the pain of losing Ben,” the family said.
“The longer courts continue to hand out short prison sentences to drink drivers, the more deaths there will be on our roads.
“Deaths that could have been avoided. People need to realise that the risk of killing or being killed is very real and this ultimately destroys lives.
“Between 2010 - 2016 breath tests conducted by police in England and Wales have fallen by 37%.
“Some drivers choose to take the risk as they feel they won’t get caught.
“Drink drivers need to fear detection every day, not just in December campaigns. Our roads cannot be made safe until drink drivers are detected and deterred.
“The past 15 months have been the most difficult period of our lives. Throughout this time we have been unable to grieve whilst we have waited to finally hear a guilty plea and Josh Caines to take responsibility for his actions.
“As a family we would like to thank those that have supported us and will continue to do so. This includes 4YP Ipswich Counselling, The NHS Mental Health Services and Pc Allie Cotton from the Serious Collision Investigation Team with Suffolk Police. If it wasn’t for Allie and the Serious Collision Team’s persistence and commitment to this investigation we do not know how we would have coped.
“Ben will forever be remembered as a kind, funny and loyal young man. We miss him every day and the heartache of losing him will last a lifetime. We feel honoured and are proud to have had him in our lives for 21 years.”
Sergeant Scott Lee-Amies from the Serious Collision Investigation Team said: “This tragic collision has had terrible consequences for all those involved. Having suffered an unimaginable loss in such circumstances I would also like to express my condolences and thanks to Ben Fulcher’s family who have been very supportive throughout the investigation.”
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