Drink-driver jailed for killing mum-of-two

A drink-driver who drove into a tree and killed his passenger while high on cocaine has been jailed for more than seven years.

Samuel Simpkins, 39, of Alexandra Road, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, lost control of his friend's BMW just after midnight on 3 January last year.

His passenger, mother-of-two Gemma Whitehead, 38, died at the scene after the car veered off the road and hit a tree.

At the scene, Simpkins was heard to say: "I've killed my friend. I'm a murderer."

Lincoln Crown Court heard on Friday that Mrs Whitehead had been driving her husband's BMW but had allowed Simpkins to drive for about five minutes after having problems with her shoes.

The crash happened in Cliffe View, South Rauceby. Most of the damage was to the passenger side of the car, leaving Simpkins with only minor injuries.

Prosecutor David Eager said Simpkins accepted he had been drinking lager and had taken cocaine at about 17:00 GMT the day before.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol.

As part of his plea he also accepted that he had cocaine in his system and had never held a full driving licence.

Tom Heath, in mitigation, said Simpkins had driven for just five minutes. He had been abusing both drink and drugs after the breakdown of a relationship, and his relationship with his son would now suffer.

"There is absolutely nothing he can say which can help or solve this terrible wound," Mr Heath added.

Mrs Whitehead's mother read out an victim impact statement, and said to Simpkins: "You simply cannot imagine the trauma you have caused."

Mrs Whitehead's husband, Mark, said in a statement read out by Mr Eager that the fatal crash had led him to turn down a new career in New Zealand and end up £17,000 in debt.

"He's completely ruined my life and the children will now grow up without their mother," he added.

Mrs Whitehead's mother said: "My heart has been truly broken. I have shed so many tears every single day and will for the rest of my life. No one can imagine the hurt and continual loss of losing a child no matter what age.

"The trauma that Sam Simpkins has inflicted upon this family is immense. His life just ticks over, ours has been blown away."

Recorder Jacob Hallam KC said it was clear that Mrs Whitehead was a much loved daughter, sister, mother and wife.

"There were plans for them to relocate and start new lives far away in New Zealand," he said.

"None of those plans or such other plans they had for Gemma will now ever come to pass as a result of what you did."

Simpkins was jailed for seven years and four months.

He was also banned from driving for seven years and told he must pass an extended test before he can apply for a licence.

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