'Atrocious' driver jailed for killing two friends

Rebecca Doughty and Ellie Crossley, both 20, were on their way home from a Christmas shopping trip when they died

An "atrocious" driver has been jailed for 10 years after killing two young women in a high-speed collision.

Ellie Crossley and Rebecca Doughty, both 20, were on their way home from a Christmas shopping trip at Cheshire Oaks retail park when they died.

Benjamin Lewis, 31, appeared at Chester Crown Court for sentence after earlier pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard Lewis had been travelling at speeds of up to 93mph (150 km/h) in a 60mph (96km/h) zone when the crash occurred at 21:30 GMT on 25 November 2021.

Benjamin Lewis hit speeds of 93mph in "poor weather and low visibility"

Cheshire Police said weather conditions had been "poor" and there was low visibility at the time.

Lewis, of Foxglove Avenue, Sandbach, lost control of his BMW 420D on the A5117 near Dunkirk, Cheshire.

The BMW then drifted across double white lines on to the wrong side of the road and struck Ms Crossley's Citroen DS3, which was travelling in the opposite direction with Ms Doughty in the passenger seat.

The two women, described by their families as "lifelong friends", died at the scene.

Lewis initially admitted causing death by careless driving and denied the more serious charge.

'Ultimate price'

He eventually pleaded guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service refused to accept pleas to the lesser charge.

After the sentencing, Sgt Andy Dennison from Cheshire's Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said data collected from global satellites showed Lewis had driven dangerously on several roads before the collision.

"Tragically, as a result of his atrocious driving, Ellie and Rebecca paid the ultimate price, and I hope he takes this time behind bars to reflect on the decisions he made that night and the impact this has had on the families of the victims", he added.

In a joint statement released shortly after their deaths, Ms Crossley and Ms Doughty's families, both from Flintshire, said: "Both families, and their friends, have been left truly devastated by this tragic event and will sadly miss them.

"Close friends for their short lives, they will be in our hearts forever."

Lewis was also banned from driving for four years from the date he is released from prison.