Man jailed for crash that killed passenger

A disqualified driver has been jailed for killing his passenger in a crash.

Levi Baxter, 21, of Cunningham Close, Cambridge, crashed the black Skoda Fabia into a tree on West End, Wilburton, near Ely, at about 09:50 BST on 25 October.

His passenger, father-of-one Ben Bland, 19, from Cambridge, died in hospital two days later.

Baxter, who initially lied to police about being the driver, later admitted causing death by driving while disqualified, and causing death by driving while uninsured and unlicensed, and was jailed for four years and six months at Cambridge Crown Court.

At the hearing on Tuesday, he was also banned from driving until 2035.

Baxter, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, told officers he was a rear seat passenger and the driver had run off.

After the keys to the car were found on him, Baxter was arrested and charged.

Paying tribute to her son Mr Bland, following his death last year, his mother said: "It truly breaks my heart and soul that following the tragic collision, my youngest baby boy, my rock, my everything, who was always by my side, devastatingly passed away."

Speaking after Baxter was jailed, Det Sgt Shona Birkby, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: "Whilst this sentence will never compensate for the loss felt by Ben's family, I hope justice being done sends a message that we will prosecute those who drive dangerously in Cambridgeshire.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Ben, his family and friends."

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