Driver who killed teenager had drunk 11 pints

Danny Francis lost control of his car after a night drinking in Shrewsbury

A motorist who caused the death of a young motorcyclist had drunk 11 pints and a shot of liquor beforehand.

Danny Francis, 29, from Trewern in Powys, drove his five-seater Range Rover Sport, with as many as seven passengers at one point, to eight more pubs while under the influence of alcohol, West Mercia Police said.

The vehicle collided with 17-year-old motorcyclis Ben Worrall on 1 October 2023 close to Rowton Castle in Shropshire and struck another motorcyclist, who suffered life-changing injuries.

Francis earlier admitted several charges including causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink. He has been jailed for seven years.

He also admitted, at Shrewsbury Crown Court, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision, and perverting the course of justice.

Ben Worrall was described by his family as a young man who loved motorbikes

West Mercia Police said Francis had been out drinking with friends in the Shrewsbury area visiting eight pubs while under the influence of alcohol.

At one point he had seven passengers in his five-seater Range Rover Sport, the force said.

Shrewsbury Crown Court was told it was believed he drank 11 pints of cider and a shot of liquor.

Then, at 23:15 BST he got in his car to drive back to his home in Powys, with a friend.

The police force said as he was travelling on the A458 near Rowton Castle he lost control of his vehicle while trying to avoid a large pool of water in the road

He crossed on to the other side of the road and hit two motorcycles head-on.

Despite the efforts of people in the area to give him first aid, Ben Worrall died at the scene and his friend Nathan, who was on the other motorbike was taken to hospital.

Francis was picked up from the scene by his girlfriend, the police said, but they were able to locate him the next morning and he initially claimed he had drunk one pint of cider all night.

Toxicology tests found he was significantly over the legal drink drive limit.

Following the sentencing, Ben Worrall's family said he was "fiercely loyal and a protector to his family and friends".

They said he was "a unique person" who loved "ducks, pumpkins and most of all, bikes".

In a statement, they added: "We never fully understood where the pumpkin love came from, but he loved to chase and feed the ducks, and saved up all his money from the paper round he did at the age of 12 to buy his first bike.

"He loved his little sister and would do anything for her, and he always knew when she needed help, and he would be there in a heartbeat."

Det Con Richard Owen said: "The actions of Francis that night was nothing short of selfish - resulting in a teenager losing his life, and a man suffering life changing injuries.

"Despite hearing the cries of those he'd injured following the collision, Francis cowardly chose to flee from the scene than face any consequences."