Withersfield man Martin Young jailed after causing death by dangerous driving in fatal crash on A1307

A Withersfield man who tried to hide he had been speeding from the police following a fatal crash has been put behind bars.

Martin Young, 68, of Rutherford Place, has been jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice after a collision on the A1307, near Haverhill, in 2019.

The 68-year-old was driving his blue Audi A3 along the A1307 on Monday, December 16, when he crashed into a Volkswagen Polo being driven by 84-year-old William Hall, of Haverhill.

An investigation found Young had been driving at nearly 90mph when crashing into the front of Mr Hall's car, which was turning right at the Dean Road junction between Horseheath and Linton.

Both cars spun before eventually coming to a rest, before Young, Mr Hall and a passenger were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Mr Hall died five months later in May 2020 after being kept in hospital with a neck fracture and later contracting Covid-19.

It was initially believed that it was Mr Hall who was at fault for the collision, with Young providing a witness statement saying he had dashcam footage.

However, police could not carry out speed analysis after the 68-year-old sent a mobile phone recording of the dashcam recording.

When officers obtained the original copy of the footage, it showed Mr Young was travelling between 86 and 88mph, which was different to the 60 and 65mph he told the police in a telephone statement.

As well as been sentenced to 20 months in prison, the 68-year-old was also disqualified from driving for five years and 10 months, ordered to take an extended re-test, as well as pay costs of £2,116 and a victim surcharge.

Detective Constable Rochelle Eves, who investigated, said: “Young was travelling at excess speed on the A1307, a road he knew to be notorious for fatal collisions.

“His attempt to avoid responsibility ultimately failed and it shows that if you lie to the police you will be found out.

“This is another case which shows the importance of careful driving and the dangers of speeding.

“I want to thank the family of Mr Hall for their dignity and patience while we have investigated this sad and complex case.”

In a statement, Mr Hall’s family said: “Bill was a kind, loving and gentle man but also strong and determined.

“He was a proud husband, dad, grandad, great grandad and father-in-law who loved spending time with his family around him. He was always interested and keen to hear what we were all doing.”

For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here