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Rachel Titley death: Yarmouth text message driver jailed | Rachel Titley death: Yarmouth text message driver jailed |
(35 minutes later) | |
A driver who was distracted by his mobile phone before a head-on crash which killed a woman has been jailed for six years. | A driver who was distracted by his mobile phone before a head-on crash which killed a woman has been jailed for six years. |
Craig Ecclestone-Todd had also been drinking when he received a text from his wife on the night of 11 October, 2013, Portsmouth Crown Court heard. | Craig Ecclestone-Todd had also been drinking when he received a text from his wife on the night of 11 October, 2013, Portsmouth Crown Court heard. |
He crashed head-on into a car killing Rachel Titley, 28, on the A3054 at Bouldnor near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. | He crashed head-on into a car killing Rachel Titley, 28, on the A3054 at Bouldnor near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. |
Ecclestone-Todd was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. | Ecclestone-Todd was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. |
The 27-year-old, from Clifford Street, Newport, had spent the evening with friends at a pub and received the message during the drive home. | The 27-year-old, from Clifford Street, Newport, had spent the evening with friends at a pub and received the message during the drive home. |
Lindsay Pennell, senior crown prosecutor, said: "...either reading or replying to this text message, [he] was so distracted that he failed to negotiate a left-hand bend, crossing the central white line into the path of Miss Titley's oncoming car. | Lindsay Pennell, senior crown prosecutor, said: "...either reading or replying to this text message, [he] was so distracted that he failed to negotiate a left-hand bend, crossing the central white line into the path of Miss Titley's oncoming car. |
Speaking after the sentencing, she said: "[The jury] was satisfied that Mr Ecclestone-Todd was using his mobile phone to read or send a text message at the time of the collision and that in doing so his driving fell far below what was expected of a competent and careful driver and was dangerous." | Speaking after the sentencing, she said: "[The jury] was satisfied that Mr Ecclestone-Todd was using his mobile phone to read or send a text message at the time of the collision and that in doing so his driving fell far below what was expected of a competent and careful driver and was dangerous." |
Police were unable to take a breath test at the scene but said Ecclestone-Todd had drunk "at least three to four pints of lager". | Police were unable to take a breath test at the scene but said Ecclestone-Todd had drunk "at least three to four pints of lager". |
A blood test taken several hours later showed he was marginally under the limit but officers maintain he would have been over the drink-drive limit at the time of the crash. | A blood test taken several hours later showed he was marginally under the limit but officers maintain he would have been over the drink-drive limit at the time of the crash. |
Speaking outside court, Miss Titley's father John said: "We don't think it's enough, it never would have been enough. | |
"Even if he got the rest of his life it hasn't brought Rachel back. | |
"At least we feel that justice has been done." | |
At the time of her death, the family of solicitor's clerk Miss Titley, from Totland, said she was "unique" and "special in every way". | At the time of her death, the family of solicitor's clerk Miss Titley, from Totland, said she was "unique" and "special in every way". |
In a statement, they added she was "loved by everyone whose life she touched". | In a statement, they added she was "loved by everyone whose life she touched". |
Eccleston-Todd was also disqualified from driving for eight years after which time he will have to complete an extended re-test. | Eccleston-Todd was also disqualified from driving for eight years after which time he will have to complete an extended re-test. |