A Shropshire man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for causing the death of a 17-year-old boy after a drinking session where he consumed 11 pints of cider before getting behind the wheel.
A Fatal Night of Drinking and Driving
Danny Francis, from Welshpool, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing the death of Benjamin Worrall. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of October 1, 2023, on the A458 Welshpool Road in Shrewsbury.
The court heard how Francis's reckless actions began hours earlier. He started drinking at a pub in Marton before embarking on a pub crawl in his five-seater Range Rover Sport. Shockingly, he drove to eight more pubs while over the limit, with up to seven passengers in the vehicle at one point.
Evidence presented in court, including receipts, showed Francis spent £40 on shots and £21 on a round of drinks during his binge. He consumed a total of 11 pints of cider and a shot of liquor.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
After a final stop at a bar in Shrewsbury Town Centre, Francis bought food and began driving himself and a friend home to Welshpool around 11.15pm on September 30.
Tragedy struck at approximately 12.03am. While travelling near Rowton Castle, Francis lost control of his Range Rover while attempting to navigate a large pool of water on the road. His vehicle veered onto the opposite carriageway, colliding head-on with two motorcycles ridden by Benjamin and his friend, Nathan.
In a cowardly act, Francis fled the scene with his passenger after his car came to a stop in a hedge. Members of the public rushed to administer first aid to Benjamin, but despite their best efforts, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. Nathan suffered life-changing injuries and was rushed to hospital.
A Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
Following the sentencing, Benjamin's family paid an emotional tribute to their beloved son, describing him as a "unique person" who was "fiercely loyal" and a "protector".
In a joint statement, they shared touching details about Benjamin's character, revealing he had just started a new relationship with his girlfriend, Summer, and often spoke of his desire to be a father one day.
They said: "He loved his little sister and would do anything for her... He really was an old soul in a young man’s body. Ben wanted to be a dad one day. He always talked about how he wanted to teach his children the things his dad had taught him."
The family also highlighted his practical nature, noting he always carried a rucksack with WD40 and duct tape during bike rides with friends and had even invoiced his nan for helping her build a wall a week before his death.
Francis was ultimately brought to justice and will now spend seven years behind bars for his catastrophic decision to drink and drive.
