Death driver's jail term reduced

Ben Morphey had drunk nearly eight pints of lager, a court heard

A drink-driver who caused a crash which claimed the lives of five people has won a reduction in his jail sentence.

Ben Morphey, 23, from Yoxford, Suffolk, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years at Ipswich Crown Court in June.

Three judges in the Court of Appeal in London have cut the jail sentence by two years.

Judge Sir Michael Astill said the facts of the case were "overwhelmingly tragic". Morphey admitted five charges of causing death by careless driving.

Claire Stoddart, 18, her sister Jennifer, 15, and their friend Carla Took, 18, plus Simon Bonner, 40, and Kim Abbott, 41, died after two cars crashed head-on at Blythburgh, Suffolk, in July last year.

The three teenage girls, who lived in Lowestoft, Suffolk, were on their way home from a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in Ipswich when they died.

We understand the deep grief that this appellant's actions have caused Sir Michael Astill

Mr Bonner and Ms Abbott, who were passengers in the vehicle driven by Morphey, lived in the Yoxford area.

Morphey, an Army aircraft technician based at Wattisham, Suffolk, had driven a friend's car after it was decided he was the least affected by alcohol.

His sentence appeal was heard by Lord Justice Laws, Mr Justice Lloyd Jones and Sir Michael Astill. Morphey, who lost his career in the Army after being jailed, was present in the dock.

Sir Michael said: "We acknowledge the most tragic consequences of the appellant's careless driving.

"We understand the deep grief that this appellant's actions have caused and the anguish to so many that have lost their loved ones."

However, the cause of the tragedy was "not a deliberate act of bad driving", but the "total irresponsibility" of driving above the alcohol limit.

The court ruled Morphey's behaviour was "properly met by a sentence of six-and-a-half years".