Drink-driver Steven Samuel given four-year prison term after crash that killed friend

A drink-driver from Soham whose passenger died when he crashed into a tree has been jailed for four years.

Steven Samuel, 21, lost control of his blue Ford Focus while travelling along Undley Road, Lakenheath, when he crashed shortly before 5.30am on Saturday, October 19, 2013.

The front-seat passenger, 22-year-old John Joe Scott from Wingfield Road in the village, was certified dead at the scene.

Samuel, of Hasse Road, Soham, was arrested at the scene and charged with one count of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The 21-year-old unemployed man pleaded guilty to the offence at Ipswich Crown Court on last Thursday.

Today, he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, Pc Karl Hale, said: “Yet again, a family in Suffolk has been left devastated by a loved one being killed by a drink-driver. Steven Samuel has some years behind bars to reflect on his reckless actions from that October night.

“John-Joe’s parents and friends are still reeling from events nearly a year on. It frustrates us that people still take fail to heed police messages about drink-driving and don’t realise that a car is a potentially deadly weapon.

“We here at Suffolk Police are committed to enhancing road safety in the county through education and enforcement. We take this role as seriously as preventing and reducing crime.

“Drink-driving is socially unacceptable and will seriously jeopardise an individual’s career prospects.”