Dangerous Driver Jailed for 16 Years After Fatal Crash and Brutal Burglary
Connor Ashworth-Driver, 22, from Dover, has been locked up for a total of 16 years after killing a man and committing an aggravated burglary. Maidstone Crown Court sentenced him on 28 August 2018.
Deadly Crash on New Year’s Day
Ashworth-Driver caused the death of a man in his 50s from Chatham on 1 January 2018. The victim was crossing Luton Road at around 1:08am when Ashworth-Driver sped through in his Renault Clio at nearly double the speed limit – while under the influence of alcohol. He didn’t stop after the collision, leaving the man to die at the scene.
The reckless driver was arrested shortly after nearby.
Brutal Burglary Shock
In addition to the crash, Ashworth-Driver pleaded guilty to an aggravated burglary on 22 October 2017 in Gardiner Street, Gillingham. At around 4:30am, he broke into a property and stabbed a man. A woman inside suffered injuries when she tried to fight him off.
Police tracked Ashworth-Driver down after releasing a computer-generated image, and he was arrested in January 2018. His DNA was found on the knife at the scene, and he was identified during a lineup.
Long Road Ahead: Extended Ban and Sentence
The court gave Ashworth-Driver eight years for causing death by dangerous driving and another eight years for the violent burglary and attack. He faces an 18-year driving ban and must pass an extended driving test before getting back on the road.
Police Sergeant Jason Heather, lead investigator, said: “This is a substantial sentence for a man who took the life of another innocent man by driving in such a dangerous and irresponsible manner with no regard for the safety of others and then failing to stop. Before this, he committed an aggravated burglary that left two people terrified in their own home, showing the danger he posed to the public. My thoughts are with the family left to cope with the loss of a much-loved father and brother. I thank them for their dignity and patience during this terrible ordeal.”
