Bill Baker KC Secures Conviction in Student Death By Dangerous Driving Prosecution

On the evening of 14 April 2023, Matthew Bennett, a student at Liverpool University, and his friend Christopher Tromp, a Newcastle University student, spent the night drinking at the Windmill Pub in Lancashire. Both young men consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, reportedly six pints each of lager, cider, and Guinness. They also left the establishment carrying a bottle of Corona apiece.

They got into Matthew Bennett’s car and travelled to McDonald’s in Skelmersdale before heading back towards Christopher’s family home when the tragic fatal accident occurred. Police accident investigators estimated the car was travelling around 70mph on left hand bend in Cobbs Brow Lane near Parbold at the time of the collision.

The impact was so severe, Christopher’s seatbelt broke and he was thrown from the vehicle, suffering catastrophic injuries. The engine had also been thrown from the vehicle and was lying smoking in the road. Matthew Bennett also suffered serious injuries in the collision and was given blood at the scene before being transferred to Aintree University Hospital, where he remained in a coma for several weeks.

Bill Baker KC presented the prosecution case, and following a seven day trial the jury at Preston Crown Court found the phD student unanimously guilty of causing Christopher’s death by dangerous driving. He will be sentenced on March 24.

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