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Whalley driver jailed for fatal smash which killed his friend

5:14pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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Photograph of the Author By Sally Henfield »

A MAN who killed his friend in a fatal car smash has been jailed for three years.

Ashley Fielding, 21 of Whalley Banks, Whalley, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court today.

Ashley Connell, 23, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, died from multiple injuries after he was thrown from the red Honda Civic Type R being driven by Fielding in Mellor Lane, Mellor, on April 21 last year.

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psx, b/burn says...
10:06pm Fri 9 May 08

and what about his dad ooooo sorry lets forget about him and his bulliing ways
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Jo, Blackburn says...
5:13pm Thu 8 May 08

I also know Ashley Fielding, I worked with him for quite a while and kept in touch after I left that job. I am appalled by people's comments saying he has shown no remorse, I only spoke with him a few time's after the accident but he was absolutely devastated about what happened and the loss of his friend. He will have to live with that for the rest of his life which is punishment enough without jail and people's comments such as above. He certainly was not the same person after the accident so to say he showed no remorse is completely untrue.

I agree that he should be banned from driving but do not think he deserves 3 years in prison. People get out in as little time for murder whereas the accident that Ash had was exactly that - an ACCIDENT. He didnt get into the car that day and think I know, Ill go and kill one of my best friends today in a car accident and ruin my life at the same time!

At least spare a thought for what Ash and his family are going through and have a small amount of compassion (at the very least) for them along with the other passenger's and their families.
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keith, bburn says...
2:31pm Thu 8 May 08

i am best friends with the driver ashley fielding, and i dont know what certain people on here are trying to gain by wishing a longer sentence on someone you dnt know for an accident that you do not know the full facts about. get a life you thick idiots.

i am also appaulled at the lancashire evening telegraph for printing false information and obviously brain washing its readers with facts about the accident.

ok it is law that you serve a sentence for this type of accident, ashley will take it like a man and will want people to let him get on with it so will you let him please. and yes i do think the sentence is harsh.

i did also know ashley connell (RIP), i know for a fact he wouldnt have wanted ashley fielding to suffer like this.
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jessica, London says...
7:39pm Sun 4 May 08

I know the driver and have done for a long time. Those comments which indicate the he showed no remorse are shocking and unfair. Would a person who showed no remorse cover their face on the way into court on national television? ? The sad truth is that every passenger in that car had a role in what resulted in a tragedy. Only one person had his foot on the pedal . . .

For all those terrible comments i wont repeat, i suggest if you do not know the inside facts which the family's involved do, then keep your opinion off the internet.

He has taken his punishment like a man, and unlike the majority, has dealt with this in such a dignified manner.

And in response to the above comment which suggests he was drink driving, this is untrue.

Ashley will always have the burden of this on his shoulders . . the simple truth, is this was a horrific accident.
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Driving miss Daisy, Mellor says...
6:54pm Sun 4 May 08

I think he has got off very lightly. The sentance should have been higher and he should be banned from driving for life.
True that he didn't mean to kill someone, but we all know that dangerous driving is a crime, and he ignored that fact, and now he has to pay. Sadly other people are paying too, like the lad who died and his family.
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A Friend, Blackburn says...
1:18am Sun 4 May 08

I think the bigger issue here is that he unfortunately killed a mate and injured other mates too which will stick with him for a long time if not forever. As if its not bad enough to be behind the wheel which more than likely it could have been anyone of these 4 lads hes the 1 whos vilified for it surely a bit of common sense should prevail and although the drivers been done for it all 4 were as guilty as each other for being in the same car who at any time could have told him to slow down but probably enjoyed the thrill of speeding at the time. I just hope it hits home to his fellow passengers and friends that these at the end of the day could be be the tragic consequences and take them on board RIP gone but never forgotten
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Gene Hunt, Mars says...
12:27am Sun 4 May 08

BKLK wrote:
Gene Genie your a sl*g
You make it sound like a bad thing!

Seriously though, if this young lad had killed somebody with a knife or a gun would people still think the sentence was harsh? I don't think so. So why does killing somebody with a motor vehicle make it less serious in peoples eyes? When will people wake up to the carnage that occurs daily on the roads of this nation and realise that stiffer sentencing is the best deterrent?
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janet, says...
9:51pm Sat 3 May 08

Is all this back biting and name calling going to go on for ever who is this guy mikexolong who thinks its fine to keep leaving comments on this web page he needs to move on, two families have been put through hell lets hope it is a lesson learned, please stop all this offensive talk and unnessary childish behaviour.
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anne, says...
8:37pm Sat 3 May 08

As a parent of two young recently qualified drivers i have followed the wasted lives campaign with interest but it is now time to close this web page as it is causing nothing but upset and anguish to everyone concerned with this case
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Unbelievable, Padiham says...
8:19pm Sat 3 May 08

Totally agree with Offended. If he was driving like an idiot then 4 years inside is definatley deserved. It might set an example to all the other young idiots on the road today. They must think they are invincible.
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me, blackburn says...
5:55pm Sat 3 May 08

i cant belive some of these cruel comments i have just read yes he desevered his sentence but to wish him dead is out of order just hope his poor mum doesnt read these
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Stan Ternant, Huddersfield says...
9:55am Sat 3 May 08

RIP the lad that died, nobody deserves that. Drink driving + driving at high speed is only ever going to result in one thing.
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MH, blackburn says...
9:00pm Fri 2 May 08

Today should have brought some sort of closure for the Connell family so lets hope people leave them in peace now to grieve for Ashley.
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CP, bburn says...
7:54pm Fri 2 May 08

I think 3 years is pretty leniant as the max sentence for the charge is 14years, that doesnt mean i think it was right decision a suspended sentence maybe! I know someone who has been in the same position as Ashley Fieldings family and i dont wish it on anybody.
He never went out and deliberetly hurt his friend as half of these comments make out!!!!
RIP ASHLEY (CONNELL)
RIP MATT x
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cypruslad, cyprus says...
6:12pm Fri 2 May 08

Me wrote:
How harsh? As if the poor **** has not already paid.
You wouldnt think it was harsh if it was your son that had died.
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Gene Hunt, Mars says...
6:11pm Fri 2 May 08

How lenient when you consider that the maximum sentence is 14 years. Got off lightly me thinks.

The Gene Genie!
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jcb, says...
6:09pm Fri 2 May 08

Not harsh at all. It may teach some of these idiots that a car in the wrong hands is a lethal weapon.
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Me, Here says...
6:06pm Fri 2 May 08

How harsh? As if the poor **** has not already paid.
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PUNISHMENT: Ashley Fielding arriving at Crown Court yesterday. He was sent to prison for three years PUNISHMENT: Ashley Fielding arriving at Crown Court yesterday. He was sent to prison for three years

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