Driver jailed as mum killed in front of daughters

Ashley Towning was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he killed Lijuan Wu

A drink-driver who killed a mother in front of two of her children as they returned from a birthday shopping trip has been jailed for 10 years and eight months.

Lijuan Wu, 40, died instantly when a Nissan car crashed into her and her daughters, aged seven and 16, on 8 August in Barrowby Road, Grantham.

Ashley Towning, 30, of Winchester Road, Grantham, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop and drink-driving.

Sentencing him at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, Judge Simon Hirst said: "The impact on this family has been truly catastrophic."

Ms Wu, 40, had gone to Nottingham shopping with her two daughters, the eldest of whom was celebrating her birthday, the court heard.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said the family had been walking home after catching the train back to Grantham when the car mounted the pavement.

Phone records showed Towning made a series of calls to his ex-girlfriend after buying a bottle of vodka from a Grantham corner shop shortly after 18:30 BST on 8 August.

Mr Howes said Towning had made two of those calls while he was driving and was still on the phone when the collision happened at about 18:38.

Fled the scene

Ms Wu's daughters were taken to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham where they were treated for minor injuries.

The court heard Towning checked on the youngest child but was then heard to say, "I can't be here" and "I'm off".

Despite efforts to keep him at the scene, Towning fled and discarded his shirt after being pursued by a jogger.

One witness described Towning falling to the ground as he returned to his parents' home in Winchester Road, where he was arrested.

Mr Howes said two Vodka bottles - one full, the other empty - were found in the vehicle.

The court was told Towning was narrowly over the prescribed limit for driving while under the influence of cannabis and four times over the limit for cocaine.

Police accident investigator Godfey Barlow concluded the cause of the crash was Towning's inattention and found the Nissan had been travelling in excess of 30mph (48 km/h) when it hit Ms Wu.

The court heard Towning had a number of convictions for violence and had received a suspended sentence for drink-driving following a police pursuit in Grantham on 19 November 2020.

'Broken heart'

Mr Howes also read out short victim impact statements from Ms Wu's husband and eldest daughter.

In his statement, Ms Wu's husband described "how I just want to die, but I know I can't because I have three beautiful children".

He added: "Every night I lie awake with a broken heart."

He said his eldest daughter would now never enjoy her birthday.

Neil Sands, mitigating for Towning, said he had written a short note which explained his clear remorse.

"To jump in that car is the worst mistake I've ever made," Mr Towning wrote.

Towning was also banned from driving for 10 years and four months, and must then take an extended test.

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