Driver Sentenced to Over 13 Years for Fatal Cocaine-Fuelled Crash
A dangerous driver has been jailed for more than 13 years after causing the deaths of his brother and 12-year-old nephew in a horrific crash while under the influence of cocaine. Michael Webb, 35, lost control of his Skoda Octavia, which split in half upon impact with a tree, killing his passengers instantly.
Tragic Details of the Incident
On August 30 last year, Webb was driving on John Reid Road in South Shields at approximately 73mph in a 40mph zone. He attempted to undertake a BMW, but emergency braking led to a loss of control. The car struck a lamppost and then a tree, tearing the vehicle in two. His brother, Peter Webb, 40, a joiner, was in the front passenger seat wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene. His nephew, Ben Webb, aged 12, was propelled from the back seat into the carriageway with the rear of the car and also perished.
Emotional Court Testimony from the Victim's Mother
Ashleigh Webb, the wife of Peter and mother of Ben, delivered a heart-wrenching statement in court. She described her horror when police informed her of the crash, initially believing her children were safe in bed. "At the top of the stairs I turned cold when the realisation came over me that Ben was with Peter," she said. Mrs Webb accused Michael of being "an accident waiting to happen" and expressed that no sentence would ever be sufficient for the loss. She highlighted his lack of remorse, citing online images of him smoking cannabis and drinking while on bail.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Webb pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving at Newcastle Crown Court. Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to 13 years and six months in prison, banned him from driving for 15 years and five months, and mandated an extended driving test before he can drive again. The judge emphasised that Webb should never have been behind the wheel, stating, "It was, sadly, an entirely avoidable tragedy."
Evidence of Impairment and Reckless Behaviour
Forensic tests revealed Webb had a "very low" alcohol level but was more than double the limit for cocaine and four times the limit for its breakdown product, Benzoylecgonine (BZE). Witnesses estimated his speed before the crash at 70-90mph, with one describing it as "crazy dangerous." The BMW driver involved reported being "shocked" by Webb's manoeuvre, and his pregnant partner screamed upon witnessing the collision.
Background and Aftermath
Webb had joined his brother and nephew earlier in the day to watch football at a pub, consuming one pint before returning home and later picking them up around 8.50pm. Mrs Webb recounted past experiences as a passenger in his car, feeling "genuinely terrified" and pleading with him to slow down, only to be met with laughter. The case underscores the devastating consequences of drug-impaired and reckless driving, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning.
