Fatal Mellor crash - man admits death charge

10:43pm Sunday 20th April 2008

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By Sally Henfield »

A MAN has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after he crashed a car and killed one of his best friends.

Ashley Fielding's change of plea came as the family of 23-year-old Ashley Connell prepared to honour the first anniversary of his death today.

The young music-lover, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, died from multiple injuries when he was thrown from the front seat through the window of a red Honda Civic Type R being driven by Fielding.

He had been making his way home to a 60th birthday party for his mum Christine when the crash happened.

The pair were travelling along Mellor Lane, Mellor, with three other friends when the car hit a stone wall before ploughing into a parked car on April 21 last year.

Fielding, 21, of Whalley Banks, Whalley, suffered a broken shoulder and pelvis in the horrific smash.

He was arrested after he was released from hospital and was charged in August. He was due to stand trial on May 28, after he pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driiving on January 8.

But his solicitor brought the matter back to court and a guilty plea has now been entered. Fielding will be sentenced on May 2.

Ashley's father Mike has spoken of the difficulty his family has had dealing with the events of the past 12 months.

He said: "It has been incredibly hard and I am not sure we could have done it if it hadn't been for the support we have received. It is a year on now and it has just been terrible.

"You just have to get on with life, but you can never forget. You just learn to live with the pain. If I wake up in the night Ashley is there, he is always with me.

"We were told by police that it had been brought forward and we will be there."

Ashley also left sister Hayley, 29 , and brother Lawson, 32, and girlfriend Rachel.

The family, who will be attending the sentencing, have backed the Lancashire Telegraph's Wasted Lives campaign, which is aimed at reducing the carnage caused by young drivers.

Christian Gillibrand, 21, of Ramsgreave Road, Blackburn, suffered severe internal injuries in the crash. Sam Litherland, 22, of Longsight Road, Copster Green, sustained neck, back, lung and facial injuries. Julian Hollings, 24, of Ribchester Road, Blackburn, had head injuries. All have now recovered.

They, and other friends of the former Bowland High School pupil, have continually held memorial events since Ashley's death to raise money for the North West Air ambilance - which took the survivors to hospital - and Pendelebury hospital - which treated Ashley as a child.

Ashley was born with a condition called congenital hydrenal hyperplasia and was not expected to live for more than 12 weeks.

He worked for the family company Groundworks although he was due to start his dream job in fashion in Manchester just a few days after the crash.

Ashley was well known for his love of partying and would regularly travel to clubs in Leeds for a night out.

Mr Connell said: "Ashley was really into his music and his friends are doing up Blackburn Northern club to look like one of his favourite Ibiza clubs for a memorial night next Saturday. Everyone has made a tremendous effort.

"Ashley would really have appreciated it."