Drug driver took dad's car and killed 'decent man'

Ross Elliott admitted causing death by dangerous driving

A judge has urged a grieving family "to get on with their lives as best as possible" after jailing the drug driver who killed a beloved father and husband.

Martin Bembridge, 54, was on his way home from work when Ross Elliott, then 19, smashed into the back of his car.

Elliott, whose driving was described as "truly deplorable", had no licence or insurance when the crash happened in Sheffield last February.

Addressing Mr Bembridge's wife and son after jailing Elliott for eight years and three months, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: "Because your husband was such a decent man and a decent father too, he would want you, I'm sure, to lead your life hereafter as best you possibly can."

Sheffield Crown Court was told Mr Bembridge had left work on 10 February but had gone a different way home to his usual route to stop at the shop and buy food for his family's dinner.

Martin Bembridge's wife told the court her life had been "turned upside down" by the death of the "beloved father and husband"

CCTV footage showed Elliott, who had taken his father's Ford Mondeo without permission and had consumed cocaine, speeding at 60mph in a 30mph zone and overtaking cars.

He then collided with the rear of Mr Bembridge's car at the junction of Dyke Vale Road and Silkstone Road in Frecheville, causing it to spin around.

The court was told a van being driven in the opposite direction was unable to stop in time and hit Mr Bembridge's car as well.

Prosecutor Louise Reevell said Elliott got out of his car to look at the damage before getting back in the vehicle, but the van driver took his keys from the ignition.

Mr Bembridge had suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court was told cocaine was found in the back of the Ford Mondeo and tests showed Elliott was three times over the legal drug driving limit.

Now 21, Elliott, of Alport Avenue, Frecheville, Sheffield, had previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

The court was told Elliott was "filled with genuine remorse" and had no previous convictions.

Jailing him, the judge said: "Your driving was truly deplorable.

"You executed an overtaking manoeuvre in an exceptionally dangerous manner and location and made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road."

'Emulate your father'

He added: "This is a disaster for you. It is a disaster for Mr Bembridge's family. You must be punished."

Afterwards the judge told Mr Bembridge's family that the personal statement by his wife, which described how their lives had been ruined, was "very moving".

He said: "Your late husband Mrs Bembridge sounded from what I have read, a thoroughly decent man.

"You were married for 33 years and you intended to have, as you said in your statement, another 33 years together."

He added: "I can't ever ask you to get over this, that would be absurd.

"What I can ask, and I do urge, is that you come to terms with it. My goodness it will take time.

"But you will I hope in time, come to terms with it and lead your life as your husband would have wished with the help of your son and family.

"And you as your father's son, emulate him, he was a decent man."

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