Man jailed following fatal collision in North Rode on Christmas Day in 2019

Lakshmi Basford

A man has been jailed following a fatal collision in North Rode on Christmas Day in 2019.

Nathaniel Ritchie, 34, of St Pauls Road, Salford, was sentenced to three and a half years on Thursday 9 June at Chester Crown Court.

He was found guilty of dangerous driving by unanimous decision at a previous hearing.

The court heard how Ritchie was driving an Audi RS5 on the A536 Macclesfield Road to buy some soft drinks after celebrating Christmas at his home address.

On leaving his home, Ritchie realised the shop he was intending to travel to was likely to be closed due to it being Christmas Day.

He decided to turn around and travel to a petrol station in Congleton.

It was when Ritchie drove back along the A536 he travelled at speed on a left-hand bend, veering into the opposite side of the carriageway colliding with a white Volkswagen Up.

The Volkswagen was being driven by 46-year-old Lakshmi Basford, from Rainow, who tragically died at the scene.

Ritchie was subsequently arrested and then later charged with dangerous driving.

Police Constable Nick Anderton, who led the investigation, said: “The family of Lakshmi have been waiting over two years to receive justice following her tragic death.

“Christmas Day is a time for celebrating and being with your family – sadly Lakshmi’s family will never be able to experience this again due to Ritchie’s reckless actions.

“Ritchie has made Lakshmi’s family relive her last moments all over again by making them sit through a trial.

“I hope in some way this sentence that has been passed down by the courts to Ritchie will in some way help bring Lakshmi’s family some comfort knowing that he is now behind bars.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with Lakshmi’s family as they will continue to deal with the devastating outcome of this heart-breaking incident every day.”

Lakshmi’s family, who were present throughout the trial said 'No sentence passed can ever reflect the loss we continue to suffer' but wished to pass on their thanks to all officers involved in the investigation but in particular PC Anderton, PC Hilton (family Liaison Officer) and all at the prosecution team for bring them a sense of justice.

Paying tribute to their sister they added: "Lakshmi was such a beautiful, kind and gentle lady who had many years of life to live. Our lives will never be the same and we miss her greatly."