Driver drunk on Stella jailed after killing two pensioners

Ryan Dowling was caught on CCTV drinking lager before smashing his car into the back of another driver, killing two passengers.

He was speeding in his Ford Focus at the time of the fatal crash, which left pensioners Gillian Casey, 75, and Anne Wales, 80, dead.

The 29-year-old admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail.

Judge Timothy Mousley QC said: "Dowling's ability to drive safely was grossly impaired, and the cause of the collision was his prolonged and persistent dangerous driving.

"Two people lost their lives. Others could have done.

"The husbands of Anne and Gillian have to live with the horrific memory of the collision in which their deeply loved wives died."

Ryan Dowling was caught on CCTV drinking at least five pints of Stella

Dowling was drinking at the The Heron public house in Petersfield Road, Havant, shortly before the crash.

After leaving the pub, he was seen driving at more than 70mph on the A27 near Chichester, overtaking cars at the last possible moment.

He crashed into a purple Renault Zoe, described as driving well within the speed limit and visible to other road users.

Mrs Casey and Mrs Wales - both from Chichester - were pronounced dead at the scene on February 27 last year.

A third passenger suffered serious injuries, while a fourth passenger and the driver both received minor injuries.

Gillian Casey, right, Elizabeth Wales, left

Dowling also sustained serious injuries and was treated in hospital.

A blood sample was taken for analysis, and it showed he had 97mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system. The legal limit is 80mg.

Dowling was interviewed by police and answered, "no comment" to all questions put to him.

But CCTV from the pub showed him drinking at least five pints of strong Belgian lager Stella Artois.

Dowling appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where he also admitted charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Ryan Dowling has been jailed for eight and a half years

Judge Mousley QC told him: "Your criminal actions have had far-reaching consequences for their families and so many people who knew them.

"Anne and Gillian had touched the lives of many others. They met through charity work.

"They were devoted to their husbands and loved by their families – children and grandchildren especially."

Dowling, of Emsworth, was also banned from driving for six and a half years.

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Speaking after sentencing yesterday, detective constable Greg Brown, said: "Dowling's selfish and irresponsible actions, choosing to drive at speed and after consuming a large quantity of alcohol, tragically cost Mrs Wales and Mrs Casey their lives.

"This sadly confirms the warning we repeatedly issue on road safety, drink driving destroys lives.

"This incident has not only claimed the lives of two much-loved women, but has also affected their friends and family, and will also impact on the defendant for years to come.

"Alcohol consumption dulls drivers' perceptions, slows reaction times and increases risk-taking behaviour. Driving at excessive speed means that a driver has less time to react and causes greater injury to road users in the event of a crash.

"Our advice is simple. Drink or drive, never both."