A man convicted of causing a fatal crash that claimed the life of his friend was confronted by the victim’s mother in court. Ross Neville, sentenced to 11 years and 11 months in prison, left Matthew Newton with fatal injuries on the A69 near Throckley, Newcastle on November 28, 2024.
Facing Neville in court, Matthew’s mother, Anne Douglas, expressed her grief and anger, telling him she hoped he would never forget the sight of her son dead in the car. She recounted the pain of not being able to kiss her son goodbye due to the injuries inflicted by the crash.
Neville had driven from Scotland to pick up Matthew for a night out in Newcastle, where they were captured on CCTV drinking together. Despite fleeing the scene, evidence revealed Neville was over the legal alcohol limit during the collision.
Driving at high speeds with excessive alcohol consumption, Neville lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the fatal crash that claimed Matthew’s life. Neville was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and driving without insurance, receiving a seven-year driving ban.
Anne Douglas described the devastating impact of losing her son and the void it has left in their lives. She shared heartfelt memories of Matthew and the pain of seeing their family struggle to cope with his absence.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Sergeant Greg Huntley of Northumbria Police condemned Neville’s reckless actions, stating that Neville’s disregard for safety led to the tragic loss of life. Despite Neville’s attempts to evade responsibility, thorough investigation work revealed the extent of his wrongdoing.
Neville’s extensive criminal record and previous driving offenses were considered aggravating factors in the case. With Neville facing a lengthy prison sentence, the hope is that the victim’s loved ones can find some comfort in knowing that justice has been served.
